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Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls highlights: 59% turnout in first phase, voting peaceful, says CEO

Jammu and Kashmir Phase 1 election updates: Catch all the latest LIVE Assembly election updates here

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Kishtwar: Security personnel stand guard as a voter leaves a polling booth after casting vote at a polling station during the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, in Kishtwar district, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (Photo: PTI)

A turnout of about 59 per cent -- the highest in the past seven elections -- was recorded in the first phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said, adding polling passed off peacefully. However, he said the figures are tentative and there might be a fractional increase after the final reports are received from the remote pockets and postal ballots. The first phase of polls covered 24 seats across seven districts. Briefing mediapersons here after polling ended at 6 pm, Pole said the elections ended peacefully without any untoward incident. There are reports of some minor incidents of scuffle or argument from a few polling stations but "no serious incident" occurred that could have forced a repoll, he said. "The polling per centage of 59 per cent is highest in the past seven elections -- four Lok Sabha polls and three assembly elections," he said, attributing the increase in the voter turnout to various factors including improved security situation, active participation of political parties and candidates and a campaign by the department. He said Kishtwar district recorder the highest 77 per cent turnout, while Pulwama district witnessed the lowest 46 per cent. Pole expressed hope that the remaining two phases on September 25 and October 1 will also see high polling per centage.


Amid the ongoing voting for the first phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir today, officials said that approximately 58.19 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5:00 pm. Voters were seen queuing up at polling stations amid heavy security measures across all 24 Assembly constituencies. The Assembly elections are the first to be held in 10 years in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the people in Jammu and Kashmir to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. Voting began for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, first time since the abrogation of Article 370, as 24 constituencies spread over seven districts of the Union Territory went to polls in Phase 1 amid tight security arrangements.

Jammu and Kashmir Phase 1 voting begins today. Seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir are geared up to vote for the first time in a decade. Over 2.3 million voters will decide the fate of 219 candidates, including 90 independents, who are running for 24 assembly segments --? eight in three districts of Jammu region and 16 in four districts of Kashmir valley. This will be the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

The Kashmiri pandit community has raised urgent calls for action on long-standing issues such as unemployment and housing. Displaced in 1990, the Kashmiri Pandit community feels that the political parties in the union territory have repeatedly failed to address their concerns. As the elections draw near, the Kashmiri Pandit community remains hopeful that their voices will be heard, and their demands for rehabilitation and employment finally addressed.

The Congress on Monday released its manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, committing to strive to restore statehood if it formed its government in the Union Territory and promising a slew of welfare measures. The manifesto does not mention the repealed Article 370, but resolved that the party will ensure that the people of J&K get priority in recruitment in government jobs, tenders, land allotment and the region's resources.

10:07 PM

J&K Assembly polls: 59% turnout in first phase, voting peaceful, says CEO

A turnout of about 59 per cent -- the highest in the past seven elections -- was recorded in the first phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said, adding polling passed off peacefully. However, he said the figures are tentative and there might be a fractional increase after the final reports are received from the remote pockets and postal ballots. The first phase of polls covered 24 seats across seven districts. Briefing mediapersons here after polling ended at 6 pm, Pole said the elections ended peacefully without any untoward incident. There are reports of some minor incidents of scuffle or argument from a few polling stations but "no serious incident" occurred that could have forced a repoll, he said. "The polling per centage of 59 per cent is highest in the past seven elections -- four Lok Sabha polls and three assembly elections," he said, attributing the increase in the voter turnout to various factors including improved security situation, active participation of political parties and candidates and a campaign by the department. He said Kishtwar district recorder the highest 77 per cent turnout, while Pulwama district witnessed the lowest 46 per cent. Pole expressed hope that the remaining two phases on September 25 and October 1 will also see high polling per centage.
6:51 PM

Polling saw 58.19 per cent voter turnout by 5 PM in first phase

4:51 PM

Jammu and Kashmir polls LIVE update: Phase 1 of J-K polls proceed steadily

Voting began at 7 am. By 3 pm, voter turnout was recorded at 50.65 per cent. Encouraged by the sight of long lines of people waiting to exercise their franchise, officials hoped the turnout would be significantly higher by 6 pm when voting closes.
4:47 PM

J-K polls update: Inderwal seat in Jammu records over 60% voter turnout

The Inderwal seat in the Jammu region registered the highest poll percentage of 60.01% today.
4:12 PM

"We will form govt in Jammu and Kashmir," says BJP's Ramban candidate Thakur

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Ramban assembly constituency, Rakesh Thakur, cast his vote on Monday and exuded confidence that the BJP government will be formed in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the union territory has witnessed a lot of developmental work after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the BJP reached out to voters of J & K with those developments in the assembly elections.
4:10 PM

Polling peaceful, incident-free so far: Jammu and Kashmir CEO PK Pole

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole on Wednesday said polling is proceeding peacefully in the first phase of the assembly elections and is incident-free. He also expressed confidence that turnout will exceed 60 per cent. "Polling is being conducted on a large scale. The way polling is progressing indicates a high turnout. We anticipate over 60 per cent polling. So far, the polling has been peaceful and incident-free," Pole stated.
4:02 PM

J-K Assembly polls update: 50.65% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, says EC

A voter turnout of over 50.65% was registered till 3 pm in all polling stations of 24 Assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir.
3:54 PM

Haryana Assembly elections: Congress vows women welfare, free electricity in manifesto

The Congress party today released its manifesto, guaranteeing seven promises for the state. The manifesto promises Rs 2,000 per month to every woman above 18 years as well as LPG gas cylinders in Rs 500. Read here for more details.
3:26 PM

Actual investment which materialised only around 2.97% of promised amount: Congress

"Recently, the government said that in the last 5 years, Rs 85 crore worth investment was signed for J&K. But actual investment which came in was only around 2.97% of this amount," Congress leader Gurdeep Singh Sappal stated today.
2:49 PM

Voting underway in Anantnag for phase 1 amid tight security

2:46 PM

J-K news update: Mother of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Gulshan Ara, casts vote in Anantnag

2:23 PM

PM Modi's policies have proven to be a disaster for J&K: CPI leader D Raja

"Jammu and Kashmir have gone for polls after a decade and the first phase of polling is underway. There is a strong resentment against the policies pursued by the Union Government. PM Modi and his government's policies have proven to be a disaster for J&K and people are angry about how the statehood was snatched away and split into Union Territories," CPI leader D Raja said.
1:50 PM

Jammu and Kashmir polls: 41.17% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm in J-K

The voter turnout as of 1 pm was registered ata 41.17 per cent during polling for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in 24 Assembly constituencies.
1:19 PM

J-K Cong expels Srinagar district unit president for entering poll fray as Independent

The Congress in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday expelled a district unit president and some other leaders from the basic membership of the party for going against the spirit of its alliance with the National Conference (NC) and contesting as Independents in the assembly polls. The party expelled Srinagar district president Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan and two others from the basic membership of the party. 
1:14 PM

Kashmiri migrant voters cast their votes under tight security

Kashmiri migrants voters cast their voting during the initial stage of Assembly elections, with stringent security measures in place, according to a report by news agency ANI.

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First Published: Sep 18 2024 | 7:06 AM IST

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