Jammu and Kashmir Elections: Phase 1 sees 59% voter turnout

Voters wait in a queue at a polling station during the first phase of Assembly elections, in Shopian district of south Kashmir. (PTI Photo)

Approximately 59% of eligible voters in Jammu and Kashmir participated in the first assembly election on September 18 since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The initial phase of voting proceeded smoothly with no major incidents.

Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole announced that this marks the highest voter turnout in the last seven Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the region. The final turnout figures may increase once reports from remote areas and postal ballots are included.

Polling started at 7 am and continued steadily throughout the day. In the first phase, which covered 24 of the 90 seats—16 in Kashmir Valley and 8 in Jammu—over 2.3 million voters were eligible to choose from 219 candidates, including 90 independents.

Early turnout figures showed 11.11% at 9 am, rising to 26.72% by 1 pm and 50.65% by 3 pm. By 5 pm, turnout had reached 58.19%, and CEO Pole later confirmed a preliminary turnout of around 59%.

These elections are the first since the state was reorganized into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Security forces were deployed to maintain order, with only minor reports of clashes between political workers in Bijbehara and D.H. Pora.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders encouraged high voter turnout. PM Modi's appeal on social media targeted young and first-time voters, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters to prioritize casting their ballots, emphasizing the importance of youth education, employment, and women’s empowerment.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also urged young people and women to exercise their democratic rights.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the significance of the elections in light of the state’s changed status, stressing the need for active participation to ensure a future of peace, stability, and development.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, called for support for the INDIA bloc, framing the election as an opportunity to reclaim rights and boost employment.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah emphasized the historic importance of the polls, noting that this is the first assembly election in a decade since the state’s reorganization. He expressed hope for favorable results for the NC-Congress alliance.

The remaining phases of the election are scheduled for September 25 and October 1, with the counting of votes set for October 8.

(With PTI inputs)