Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls Highlights: 59% voter turnout in Phase 1 of J&K polling, voting peaceful: CEO

According to J-K Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole, Kishtwar recorded the highest turnout of 77% in the first phase of J-K polls, whereas Pulwama recorded the lowest turnout at 46%.

-PTI

“Peaceful polling overall in J-K, there are no instances where we have to go for repoll,” Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole says.

- PTI

“About 59% of voting recorded in the first phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir,” says Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole

- PTI

Three senior BJP leaders were suspended on Wednesday (September 18, 2024) for contesting assembly elections against the party’s official candidates in Jammu and Kashmir, a party spokesman said.

J&K BJP Vice President Pawan Khajuria along with senior party leaders, Balwan Singh and Narinder Singh Bhau, were suspended from party membership as recommended by the disciplinary committee headed by Sunil Sethi, the spokesman said.

- PTI

According to officials, the highest voting percentage so far among the 24 assembly segments of the Union Territory was recorded in Inderwal at 80.06%, followed by Padder-Nagseni at 76.80% and Kishtwar at 75.04%. Doda West also recorded a high turnout of 74.14%.

In the Kashmir valley, the Pahalgam segment recorded the highest turnout of 67.86%. It was followed by D.H. Pora at 65.21%, Kulgam at 59.58%, Kokernag at 58% and Dooru at 57.90%.

The lowest voter turnout percentage was recorded in the Tral segment at 40.58%, officials said. They added that the four constituencies in Pulwama district have not yet crossed the 50% mark.

- PTI

Heading towards a huge voter turnout, the 24 assembly constituencies have recorded 58.19% voting till 05:00 p.m., an official said.

PDP Kishtwar candidate Firdous Ahmad Tak on Wednesday (September 18, 2024) accused police of assaulting him after he objected to BJP leader Shagun Parihar’s alleged attempt to check women voters identity cards at a polling station in Kishtwar.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar Pawan Kotwal said voting remained unaffected and that an inquiry has been ordered into the incident at Bagwan polling station to confirm the facts of the incident before taking appropriate action.

The Bagwan polling station is considered to be communally sensitive.

- PTI

After MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid said he has not closed his doors on any party including the BJP in case they might need his support to form the Government.

In a TV interview, Engineer Rashid was asked whether there was any scope for his Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) to ally with the BJP, to which he said that if such a situation comes, his doors are not shut for anyone.

NC Vice President Omar Abdullah told reporters, “Let Rashid first answer to what he has said. If Rashid is contesting the election to help the BJP, then the people of J-K should use their vote with caution because I have been saying this, and thankfully Rashid has acknowledged it, that such candidates are contesting to divide the vote and cause damage to the NC.”

- PTI

In the Kashmir Valley, the Pahalgam segment recorded the highest turnout of 58.89%. It was followed by DH Pora at 55.14%, Kulgam at 50.75%, Dooru at 50.50%, and Kokernag (ST) at 50%.

The lowest - 32.87% - was recorded in Tral, they said.

According to officials, the overall voter turnout was 50.65% at 3 p.m. They said the highest voting percentage so far among the 24 Assembly segments of the Union territory was recorded in Inderwal at 72.20%, followed by Padder-Nagseni at 71.08% and Kishtwar at 67.58%

Doda West also recorded a high turnout of 66.75% during the period.

With long queues of voters outside polling stations in J&K since morning, over 50.65% voter turnout was recorded till 3 p.m. in all polling stations of 24 Assembly Constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir. - Peerzada Ashiq

In the first Assembly polls in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370, enthusiastic voters queued up at polling stations to exercise their franchise in the Doda district of Jammu region, which has seen an increase in terror-related activities over the past few months.

Expressing happiness about taking part in the Assembly elections to elect their government, the voters also said they hoped that the democratic exercise would be followed by the restoration of Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. 

Polling was underway on Wednesday in the Chenab valley districts, having over 7.14 lakh eligible voters, to decide the fate of 64 candidates in the first phase of the Assembly elections. 

The Congress in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 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.

He said the party has expelled Srinagar district president Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan and two others from the basic membership of the party.

Overall in Jammu and Kashmir, the Inderwal seat in the Jammu region recorded the highest poll percentage of 60.01% on Wednesday.

The polls are being held for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370. Polling is underway in 24 constituencies spread over seven districts of the Union Territory.

According to officials, the maximum voting percentage among the 16 Assembly segments in the Kashmir Valley was recorded in Pahalgam at 47.68%. It was followed by DH Pora at 43.66%, Dooru at 41.30%, and Kokernag (ST) at 41%.

The lowest - 26.75% - was recorded in Tral, they said. 

- PTI

The two major local parties Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC) and the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were the first to release their manifestos, making several similar promises regarding restoring Article 370 and J&K’s statehood, nullifying amended laws since 2019 and ending political incarceration. 

Opposing their promises is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has rolled out 25 promises to create a ‘new J&K.’

Offering a middle ground of sorts is the Congress – which has promised statehood, land to refugees from Pakistan, one lakh jobs, cash transfers to women heads of family and farmers, resumption of press accreditation, and welfare schemes for minorities, SC/ST and border residents, to name a few. 

The first phase of Assembly elections to J&K Legislative Assembly is gaining a healthy momentum, with long queues outside polling booths. Officials said all polling stations of 24 Assembly Constituencies across seven districts of Jammu & Kashmir have recorded an impressive 41.17% voter turnout till 1 p.m.

- Peerzada Ashiq

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer P.K. 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,” Mr. Pole said. - PTI 

The official was visiting various polling stations set up for Kashmiri migrants in Jammu city’s Muthi area.

BJP candidate from Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar, on Wednesday cast her vote here as she expressed confidence in securing the seat. Shagun (29), who holds an MTech degree in Electronics and whose father Ajit Parihar and uncle Anil Parihar were shot dead by terrorists in November 2018, said she is confident that the BJP will “achieve a resounding victory in these elections and form a government in Jammu and Kashmir”. 

“.. The Narendra Modi-led government has made significant strides in countering terrorism, which is a personal concern for me as a victim,” she said. “The alliance of NC, Congress and PDP will face a decisive defeat. The people of J&K seek peace and development, and BJP will ensure their aspirations are fulfilled,” Ms. Shagun told reporters after casting her vote at a polling station in Kishtwar. Ms. Shagun, the only female candidate from Kishtwar, said she is certain of her victory. “My win will contribute to BJP’s majority government formation in Jammu and Kashmir,” she added. - PTI

Heaping praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP candidate from the Shopian Assembly constituency, Javaid Ahmad Qadri on Wednesday said that the PM has played a big role in improving the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Mr. Qadri said that people in large numbers have been coming to cast their votes. “I give the credit to PM Modi who has played a big role in improving the situation in J&K. People in large numbers are coming out to cast their votes...The central government has worked a lot to ensure the development of Shopian...Before the abrogation of Article 370, only some families used to cast their votes but today the common man is coming out to vote in large numbers...” said Mr. Qadri. - ANI

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged people in Jammu and Kashmir to vote for ‘INDIA’, saying every such vote will ensure the return of their rights and bring employment.

“My brothers and sisters of Jammu and Kashmir, today the first phase of voting is being held. For the first time in the history of the country, a state’s statehood has been taken away and it has been made a union territory - this is a violation of all your constitutional rights, an insult to Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr. Gandhi said in a post in Hindi in X. 

“Your every vote for INDIA will ensure return of your rights, will bring employment, will make women strong, will bring you out of the ‘era of injustice’...will make Jammu and Kashmir prosperous again,” he said. “Today, come out of your homes in the largest of numbers possible and exercise your democratic right - vote for INDIA,” Mr. Gandhi added.- PTI

A voter turnout of 26.72% per cent was recorded till 11 am in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

“All the 24 assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir have recorded 26.72 percent voter turnout till 11 am in the first phase of Assembly Elections in the Union Territory”, said a release by the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K. - Peerzada Ashiq

Amid the first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Altaf Thakur said that J&K has changed and people want to get their voices heard through democracy. He further added that the people in J&K have now rejected terrorism and want to instead express themselves through the ballot paper. 

“People are very excited and have been standing in long queues to cast their votes since 6 am. Jammu and Kashmir has changed. People want to get their voices heard through democracy. Kashmir has now rejected terrorism, separatism, bombs, grenades and bullets and has chosen the ballot paper and wants to express itself through the ballot paper,” said Altaf Thakur.- ANI

Peoples Democratic Party candidate Waheed ur Rehman Parra casts his vote in Pulwama. “People should come out to vote for peace, progress, development and dignity of J&K. Voting is an act of self-preservance. So much has been lost in the last six years. This voting is to reclaim whatever we have lost,” Mr. Parra. - Peerzada Ashiq

Ghulam Qadir Wani, who heads the panel of banned Jamaat-e-Islami, cast his vote in Pulwama district and asked voters to cast “vote wisely”. 

The banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) has fielded candidates in the Assembly election as Independents. Read more

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday expressed hope that voters in Jammu and Kashmir would avoid “fragmentation of their votes”, warning that many independent candidates in the Valley were contesting with the aim to divide the ballot. 

“People will have to keep it (a huge number of independent candidates contesting) in mind, because most of these candidates are in Kashmir. It seems it is an attempt to fragment votes and divide people. “I hope the voters will remain cautious of these and avoid fragmentation of their votes in this election,” Mr. Abdullah said.

A voter turnout of 11.11 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of voting in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, an official said on Wednesday.

The voting began at 7 am amid tight security arrangements.

Former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani was among the early voters to cast their ballot at a polling station here in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district on Wednesday. Wani, a former minister who won the Banihal constituency seat in the 2008 and 2014 elections, expressed confidence in securing the seat for a third consecutive term. 

“National Conference and PDP had done nothing for Banihal and all the developmental work in the region was done by Congress. The people will vote for that work as NC and PDP have zero contribution in developmental works in Banihal,” he said, claiming that NC and BJP candidates are no threat to him. “BJP has no base in Banihal and their presence is mostly in Jammu,” he said.- PTI

Hundreds of additional troops had been mobilised to provide security cover to the 3,276 polling stations spread over the seven districts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions. 

The Doda and Kishtwar districts in the Chenab Valley, which have witnessed heighted militancy this year and frequent gun battles, is also witnessing polling today. Officials said the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police had early this month stepped up area domination in the upper reaches of the two districts that have six seats. - Read more

In Jammu, trying their luck are former ministers Sajjad Kitchloo (NC), Khalid Najid Suharwardy (NC) Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress), Abdul Majid Wani (DPAP), Sunil Sharma (BJP), Shakti Raj Parihar (Doda west) and Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, a three-time MLA who is fighting as an independent after he was denied ticket by DPAP which he had joined after quitting Congress in support of Ghulam Nabi Azad two years ago.

Former MLA Daleep Singh Parihar (BJP), former MLC Firdous Tak and Imtiyaz Shan (PDP), NC’s Pooja Thakur who is sitting chairperson of district development council Kishtwar, BJP’s young face Shagun Parihar, whose father Ajit Parihar and uncle Anil Parihar were killed by terrorists in November 2018, and Mehraj din Malik of AAP are among other prominent faces in the fray.- PTI

Officials checking the details of migrant voters before casting votes at a special polling station in Jammu on September 18, 2024. Around 35,000 migrant Kashmiri Pandits will also join the poll process at 24 polling stations set up across the country. Photo: Special Arrangement

The Chenab Valley is one region that was recast by the J&K Delimitation Commission and two additional Assembly constituencies were carved out of it.

The BJP aims to win a majority of seats after the delimitation. The new constituencies of Doda West and Padder-Nagseni have majority of Hindus. Inderwal is the only Muslim-majority constituency in Kishtwar district after the two Hindu belts of Mulchiter and Kuntawara of Inderwal were adjusted in Kishtwar, a Hindu-majority seat now.- Read more from Peerzada Ashiq

Women polling officials attending a woman voter at booth managed by them in Kishtwar Assembly constituency on Wedndesday, September 18, 2024. About 11.51 lakh women are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase. Photo: Special Arrangement

For the first time, the BJP has fielded seven candidates in south Kashmir. The party is contesting from Rajpora, Shopian, Kokernag, Anantnag-43, Anantnag-44, Srigufwara-Bijbehara and Shangus-Anantnag seats. 

In the Chenab valley, with more Muslim voters than Hindus, the BJP is contesting on all eight seats and is banking on two Muslim candidates, Taraq Hussain Keen for the Inderwal seat, and Mohd. Saleem Bhat for the Banihal seat. It has fielded Shagun Parihar from Kishtwar, Sunil Kumar Sharma from Padder-Nagseni, Daleep Singh from Bhaderwah, Gajay Singh Rana from Doda, Shakti Raj Parihar from Doda-West and Rakesh Singh Thakur from Ramban.

Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Wednesday said the people of Jammu and Kashmir will come out to vote in large numbers to seek restoration of statehood and their rights.

Mir, who is contesting the polls from the Dooru Assembly segment in this south Kashmir district, said the intent behind voting is to change “Delhi’s rule” in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I cast my vote intending to change Delhi’s rule on the people of J-K for the last 10 years. Today’s biggest aim is that J-K should prosper and the people feel happy,” Mir said after casting his vote. - PTI

The NC-Congress combine is looking at these elections as their potential chance to revive and expand in south Kashmir in the wake of several senior leaders leaving the PDP in the past five years and ahead of the elections. NC leader and former Member of Parliament Hasnain Massodi is contesting from Pampore and former Minister Sakeena Masood from D.H. Pora.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir is fighting the election from Dooru and is pitted against the PDP’s Mohammad Ashraf Malik. In Anantnag-44, the Congress’ Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed will see a close fight from the PDP’s Mehbooba Beg, also a former MP. Senior Congress leader Vikar Rasool Wani is contesting elections from Banihal. The NC-Congress has forged a pre-poll alliance, though fighting on separate manifestoes. Read more

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to vote in large numbers to form a government which is committed to education of the youth, employment, empowerment of women and ending separatism.

Mr. Shah also said that only a government with a strong will can create a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir, protect the rights of the citizens there, and speed up development work. Read more

Prominent candidates in Kashmir include CPI (M)‘s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term from Kulgam segment. AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir is hoping for a third term from Dooru, while National Conference’s Sakina Itoo is seeking another term from Damhal Hajipora. PDP’s Sartaj Madni (Devsar) and Abdul Rehman Veeri (Shangus-Anantnag) are also key candidates to watch out for.

However, all eyes will be on Srigufwara-Bijbehara and Pulwama assembly segments where PDP’s Iltija Mufti and Waheed Para are contesting polls, respectively.

Iltija Mufti, the third generation politician from her family to run for office from Bijbehara, is in a triangular contest with NC’s Bashir Ahmad Veeri and BJP’s Sofi Mohammad Yousuf.

However, Para -- an accused in a terror case -- faces stiff challenge from his former party colleague Mohammad Khalil Bandh, who is now contesting on NC ticket. The contest here has been spiced up by the entry of a former member of banned Jamaat-e-Islami Talat Majid Alie. Tarigami also faces a similar candidate in Sayar Ahmad Reshi. - PTI

Voting commenced Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab valley, having over 7.14 lakh eligible voters, to decide the fate of 64 candidates in the first phase of the assembly elections being held after a decade.

Polling started at 7 am at all 1,328 polling stations set up across eight assembly seats of Chenab valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban amid heavy security, as the region has witnessed a spurt in terror activities over the past three months, leaving six army personnel and four terrorists dead.

Besides Chenab valley, the first phase of assembly elections also covered four districts of south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian, which have 16 assembly constituencies.

Meanwhile, 24 polling stations -- 19 in Jammu, one in Udhampur, and four in Delhi -- have been set up to facilitate more than 35,000 Kashmiri Pandits to exercise their franchise in the first phase.

Members of the displaced community are registered as voters in 16 constituencies of south Kashmir.

The voting is scheduled to end at 6 pm, the election officials said, adding separate polling stations managed by women, specially-abled persons and youth, green polling stations to spread messages about environmental concerns, and other unique polling stations have been set up in the three districts. - PTI

Today, a region marred by three decades of conflict and separatist Hurriyat’s boycott politics is charting a new path with electoral politics and drawing new battle lines between regional and national political forces.

The manifestos of J&K’s two regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), reflect this change.

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The constituencies going to the polls today include Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, Pahalgam, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban and Banihal.

-PTI

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, officials said.

This is the maiden assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir in a Union Territory setup — also the first poll to elect an assembly in the last 10 years.

The Centre abrogated Article 370, that gave special status to J-K, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two UTs – J-K and Ladakh -- on August 5, 2019.

All arrangements, including security related, are in place and the polling began at 7 am across the 24 assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

-PTI

Multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place to ensure free and fair Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior police official said.

The IGP said, “Jammu and Kashmir police have made proper arrangements to ensure that the elections are free, fair and held in an atmosphere free of fear. The thing to appreciate is that a maximum number of people should be able to exercise their voting right and take part in the democratic process. It will be our endeavor always to provide a secure environment so that people come to vote in large numbers.” 

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Ahead of the first phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir, officials conducted mock polls at various polling booths across Union Territory.

Preparations and mock polls are underway in various polling booths across Jammu and Kashmir, including Banihal, Kishtwar, and Jagti Assembly constituencies.

Presiding Officer of Lachh Khazana-B, FCI Store Kuleed Polling station Number 75, Ashukta Shaheen, said “Mock polling has been completed. All the preparations have been done. The voters can come and cast their votes after 7 a.m....”

- ANI

More than 35,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandits from across the country are eligible to vote at 24 polling stations in the first phase of the three-phased Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

The displaced Kashmiri Pandits will exercise their right of franchise in 16 constituencies of south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam districts.

The Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), which was launched with a lot of fanfare by the former Congress leader in 2022 to create an alternative in the Union Territory, is struggling to put up a fight in upcoming Assembly election in J&K.

The DPAP received a major setback as around 20 prominent faces quit the party, especially after the successful campaign by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Kashmir during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2023.

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