J&K Assembly Polls Phase 3 Highlights: Over 65% polling recorded in final Phase

68.72% of polling was recorded in the third and final phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday (October 1, 2024), the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said.

The overall poll percentage on the completion of this phase stands at 63.45%, it said in a statement in Jammu.

The first phase elections on September 18 registered 61.38% polling while the second phase recorded 57.31% voting on September 25.

- PTI

According to the latest available data, the turnout of the third and final phase of the J&K Assembly polls on Tuesday (October 1, 2024) saw a 65.48% turnout till 5 p.m., which is likely to surpass the Lok Sabha poll turnout in the corresponding seven districts. In the recently-held parliamentary polls, the turnout in these districts was recorded at 66.78%.

The voter turnout in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the ongoing Assembly polls in the Union Territory was also higher than in the Lok Sabha elections.

In Phase 1, Seven districts recorded a 61.38% turnout, while it was 60% in the general elections.

Likewise, the six districts that went to polls in Phase 2 recorded 57.31% polling as compared to 52.17% turnout in the Lok Sabha polls, according to available data.

- PTI

The polling for the Jammu and Kashmir Phase 3 voting has concluded at 6 p.m.

Udhampur district recorded the highest turnout of 72.91%, followed by Samba (72.41%), Kathua (70.53%), Jammu (66.79%), Bandipora (63.33%), Kupwara (62.76%), and Baramulla (55.73%). 

Among the constituencies, Chhamb in Jammu district was leading with 77.35% polling recorded in the first 10 hours. Sopore segment, once a terrorist and separatist stronghold, recorded the lowest turnout of 41.44%, according to EC data.

- PTI

Of the total 5,060 polling stations, 974 are urban polling stations and 4,086 are rural. Special initiatives to enhance participation include 240 special polling stations, 50 pink polling stations managed by women and 43 polling stations manned by persons with disabilities.

Additionally, 45 green polling stations were set up promoting environmental awareness, 29 polling stations located near the Line of Control and the International Border for border residents, and 33 unique polling stations.

- PTI

A voter turnout of 65.48% was recorded till 5 p.m. in the third and final phase of voting for the Assembly polls underway in Jammu and Kashmir. There was no update on voter turnout at 4 p.m.

A voter turnout of 56.01% was recorded till 3 p.m. in the third and final phase of voting for the Assembly polls underway in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Election Commission, Udhampur district recorded the highest turnout of 64.43%, followed by Samba at 63.24%, Kathua at 62.43%, while the lowest – 46.09% – was witnessed in Baramulla.

Ruldu Ram’s joy knew no bounds after he voted for the first time in his life at the age of 90, nearly eight decades after migrating from Pakistan during the Partition. He was among hundreds of West Pakistan refugees in the border town of R.S. Pura who cast their votes for the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I voted for the first time. I was not entitled to vote before. We came from West Pakistan in 1947,” he said.

Around 1.5 to 2 lakh people residing in various areas of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, particularly in the border regions, members of three communities — West Pakistan refugees (WPR), Valmikis, and Gurkhas — finally have domicile status following the abrogation of articles 370 and 35-A. - PTI

A voter turnout of 44.08% was recorded till 1 p.m. in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on Tuesday, according to Election Commission (EC) data.

Udhampur district recorded the highest turnout of 51.66%, followed by 50.09% in Kathua, 49.73% in Samba, 42.67% in Bandipora, 42.08% in Kupwara, 43.36% in Jammu and 36.60% in Baramulla. - PTI

Several former ministers and candidates were among those who exercised their franchise at various polling stations in Jammu and Samba districts on Tuesday in the third and final phase of the Assembly polls.

“Democracy has prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir. The people have defeated Pakistan-sponsored terrorism,” former minister and BJP candidate for Jammu North, Shyamlal Sharma said after casting his vote.

“We will form the government, and our victory will be a testament to the people’s endorsement. They are voting for the continuity of development in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. - PTI

A voter turnout of 28.12% was recorded in the first four hours of polling for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections of Tuesday, according to Election Commission (EC) data.

Udhampur district recorded the highest turnout of 33.84%, followed by 31.78% in Kathua, 31.50% in Samba, 28.04% in Bandipora, 27.34% in Kupwara, 27.15% in Jammu and 23.20% in Baramulla. - PTI

Long denied the right to vote, members of the Valmiki community exercised their franchise for the first time in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on Tuesday and termed it as a “historic moment”.

“I am a first-time voter at the age of 45. In my lifetime. We are thrilled and filled with enthusiasm to participate in J-K’s Assembly elections for the first time. It is like a big festival for us,” Gharu Bhati, who voted at a polling station in Jammu, said. 

The Valmikis were originally brought to J&K in 1957 from Punjab’s Gurdaspur district for sanitation work by the State government. - PTI

The Congress on Tuesday urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to vote in large numbers in the third and final phase of the Assembly polls, with Rahul Gandhi calling on them to remember that this election is about their self-respect and rights.

In a post in Hindi on X, Mr. Gandhi said, “All voters are requested to come out of their homes in large numbers and vote for INDIA. Your every vote for INDIA will secure the foundation of the future of Jammu and Kashmir, and will give you the strength to fight for your rights.”

“Today is the third and last phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Remember, this election is about the self-respect of the State, it is about the rights of the people of the State,” he added.

Union minister Jitendra Singh on October 1 said the enthusiastic participation of people in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls reflects the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies and “true mainstreaming” of democracy in the Union Territory.

He also accused previous regimes, especially of the National Conference and Congress, of misusing Article 370 by depriving West Pakistani refugees, Valmiki Samaj and Gorkha community of their “citizenship and voting rights”. - PTI

As polling for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections is underway, BJP candidate from Jammu North constituency Sham Lal Sharma said that long queues outside polling stations were proof that people wanted change in J&K. 

He cast his vote at a polling booth in Purkhoo Government School, Jammu on Tuesday.Sham Lal Sharma said, “This is the biggest festival of democracy. People in J&K have been waiting for Assembly elections for a long time. The long queues outside polling stations are proof that people want change in J&K. I am confident that the people in 24 seats in the Jammu province which includes Udhampur, Kathua, Samba andf 11 seats of Jammu district are going to break the voting records of the last several years. I request the voters to choose the best candidates.” 

He further said that this poll is a decisive battle between the nationalists and anti-national people.“PM Modi has set a political narrative and people have enthusiasm towards democracy and nation. All previous records of Assembly and Parliamentary elections would be broken,” he added. 

BSP president Mayawati on Tuesday appealed to all voters in Jammu and Kashmir to cast their votes for the third and final phase of the assembly elections “to ensure that the right people are in power”. 

“An appeal to all voters to vote enthusiastically in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections being held today, so that in this election being held after a long time, the right people can have a share in power, for which a lot of voting is necessary. First vote, then refreshment,” Ms. Mayawati posted on X in Hindi.

A voter turnout of 11.60% was recorded till 9 a.m. in the final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir polls, the EC said.

Udhampur district recorded the highest turnout of 14.23%, followed by 13.31% in Samba, 13.09% in Kathua, 11.64% in Bandipora, 11.46% in Jammu, 11.27% in Kupwara and 8.89% in Baramulla.

Among the constituencies, Ramnagar was leading with 15.27% polling recorded in the first two hours. Sopore segment, once a terrorist and separatist stronghold, recorded the lowest turnout of 6.71%, the EC data showed.

Voters on Tuesday queued up outside polling stations in 40 seats across seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir where polling is underway in the third and final phase of Assembly elections, officials said. 

The voting, which commenced at 7 a.m., is progressing peacefully amid tight security arrangements, the officials said. 

While the Election Commission was yet to release any voter turnout data, official sources said an estimated turnout of 3.5% was recorded in the first hour of polling in Kashmir. 

According to the officials, “moderate to heavy” polling is going on in most of the Assembly segments in north Kashmir. 

More than 39.18 lakh eligible voters are set to decide the electoral fate of 415 candidates, including two former Deputy Chief Ministers Tara Chand and Muzaffar Baig.

Among the prominent candidates in the fray in this phase are Raman Bhalla (R S Pura), Usman Majid (Bandipora), Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurez), Taj Mohiuddin (Uri), Basharat Bukhari (Wagoora-Kreeri), Imran Ansari (Pattan), Ghulam Hassan Mir (Gulmarg), Choudhary Lal Singh (Basohli), Rajiv Jasrotia (Jasrota), Manohar Lal Sharma (Billawar), Sham Lal Sharma, and Ajay Kumar Sadhotra (Jammu North). 

In the final phase, Jammu district has the highest number of candidates at 109, followed by Baramulla (101), Kupwara (59), Bandipora (42), Udhampur (37), Kathua (35) and Samba (32). 

Members of the Valmiki community cast a vote for the first time at a polling booth in Jammu. 

“I am very happy... I am 50 but I am casting vote for the first time. Things are changing now,” said a voter. 

“It feels like a caged bird has been set free. Our community had no voting rights for the last 70 years. The Valmiki community was kept away from voting process,” said another voter. 

The Valmiki Samaj got voting rights in the Assembly, Urban Local Bodies and Panchayat elections only after Article 370 was abrogated. 

got voting rights in assembly, urban local bodies and panchayat elections only after Article 370 was abrogated.

PTI

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday appealed to voters to exercise their franchise in the third and last phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls. 

Mr. Azad, who was among the early voters here, also said that unemployment is the biggest issue in the union territory but it has not been given due attention by both regional and national parties. 

Mr. Azad cast his vote at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar in the first hour of polling. 

“Every voter, whether male or female, elderly or young, should come out to vote because this election is happening after a long gap of 10 years... it is their choice who they want to vote for, which party or candidate, ... but they should vote,” the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said. 

PTI

Out of the total 39.18 lakh voters in the final phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, 19.09 lakh are female voters. 

Out of the total 415 candidates in the final phase, 28 are female candidates. 

To enhance women’s participation, 50 ‘pink’ polling stations are installed, which are managed by women. 

Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday also urged women to participate in large numbers. 

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to vote in large numbers in the third and final phase of the Assembly polls in the union territory and “teach a lesson” to those who snatched Statehood from them.

In a post on X, Mr. Kharge said, “As voting for the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections commences, I urge the people in these 40 Assembly seats to exercise their Democratic rights in large numbers.” This is the final chance to “teach a lesson” to those who snatched statehood from the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress president said. 

“Remember, that a single vote can change your destiny and usher in a brighter future, which secures your Constitutional rights,” he said.

“A single vote is valuable enough to ensure better employment opportunities for the young, take on the corrupt, safeguard your land rights and ensure progress and prosperity,” Mr. Kharge said. 

To facilitate voter participation, the Election Commission has set up 5,060 polling stations and ensured 100 per cent webcasting across all constituencies. Of the total, 974 are urban polling stations and 4,086 are rural. 

Special initiatives to enhance participation include 240 ‘special’ polling stations, 50 ‘pink’ polling stations managed by women, and 43 polling stations manned by persons with disabilities. 

Additionally, there are 45 ‘green’ polling stations promoting environmental awareness, 29 polling stations located near the Line of Control and the International Border for border residents, and 33 ‘unique’ polling stations. 

For migrant voters of the Kashmir division, 24 ‘special’ polling stations -- 19 in Jammu, four in Delhi, and one in Udhampur district -- have been established. 

Officials said a comprehensive security strategy had been implemented at each polling station to ensure peaceful voting. 

PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign, emphasising the party’s initiatives over the last 10 years to address what he described as “decades of injustice and historic discrimination”. 

His remarks at a rally at the M.A.M. Stadium were aimed at galvanising support for the BJP in the party’s traditional stronghold, asserting that the Union Territory status for Jammu and Kashmir is merely “temporary” and promising restoration of statehood. 

Senior BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party president J P Nadda, have actively campaigned, accusing the Congress, National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of pursuing a “Pakistani agenda” and fostering terrorism - a claim vehemently denied by these parties. 

Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have also campaigned vigorously, promising to restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir and provide a “people-friendly” government in a coalition with the NC.

The NC and the PDP, led by former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, have also intensified their outreach efforts, criticising the BJP for an uptick in terror incidents in Jammu over the last three years.

Omar Abdullah challenged the BJP’s narrative, suggesting that by blaming the opposition, they absolve Pakistan of accountability.

While the NC and the Congress are contesting the election in an alliance, their top leaders have largely campaigned separately for this phase. Rahul Gandhi addressed rallies in Jammu city and Sopore, a region previously known for separatism and insurgency.

Emerging regional players, such as People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone and Awami Ittehad Party chief Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, have also been active in the campaign. Mr. Rashid’s party has fielded his brother Khursheed Ahmad from Langate while Mr. Lone’s party is contesting two seats. 

As Jammu and Kashmir proceeds with the final phase of its Assembly elections today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised that the Union Territory requires a government capable of making decisive actions for the security, peace, and stability of the region.

”Jammu and Kashmir needs a visionary government that can also make strong decisions for the security, peace, and stability of the region,” Mr. Shah stated in a post on X.

“Today, as the public casts their votes in the final phase, let them elect a government through their votes that will keep Jammu and Kashmir free from terrorism, separatism, nepotism, and corruption and is resolute in protecting the rights of every community. Vote for a historic change towards tourism, education, employment, and holistic development in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged voters to come forward and exercise their franchise in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections to make the festival of democracy a success.

“Today is the third and last round of voting in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. I request all voters to come forward and cast their votes to make the festival of democracy a success,” Mr. Modi said in a post in Hindi on X.

“I am confident that apart from the young friends who are going to vote for the first time, women power will also participate in the voting in large numbers,” the Prime Minister said.

Voting commenced on Tuesday for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, covering 40 seats across seven districts, including the winter capital Jammu. 

Polling began at 7 a.m. in 16 Assembly segments in three border districts of north Kashmir amid tight security. 

The Assembly segments in the region going to the polls are Baramulla, Uri, Rafiabad, Pattan, Gulmarg, Sopore, and Wagoora-Kreeri (Baramulla district), Kupwara, Karnah, Trehgam, Handwara, Lolab, and Langate (Kupwara district), and Bandipora, Sonawari, and Gurez (Bandipora district). 

Voting also began in 24 Assembly constituencies in the Jammu region, including in Udhampur, Samba, and Kathua districts. 

Polling is scheduled to conclude at 6 p.m. 

PTI

The Election Commission of India on Monday (September 30, 2024) suspended the appointment of Colonel Vikrant Prasher from the Indian Army as SSP (Training) and Special (Ops) in J&K Police. The Commission has asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to explain why such an order was issued without prior approval while the Model Code of Conduct is in effect.

The poll body requested the Chief Secretary to submit a compliance report by October 1, along with an explanation for issuing the order without the Commission’s prior consent.

-ANI

Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and there will be a mock poll before that in the polling stations in presence of the polling agents. The voting will continue even after 6 p.m. if voters are standing in the queue in the premises of the polling station to exercise their right to vote.

Every polling station will also be provided with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) like drinking water, electricity, toilet, ramp, furniture and veranda or shed. Wheelchairs will also be provided to the needy, he said, adding that the ballot unit will also have a list of contesting candidates in the Braille script.

Separate queues for senior citizens and specially-abled persons will also be provided wherever required, facilitating them with early polling, he said.

- PTI

According to J&K chief electoral officer Pandurang K. Pole, a total of 5,060 polling stations have been set up across the poll-bound districts.. Out of these, 50 polling booths are to be managed by women, known as Pink Polling Stations, 43 polling stations will be manned by specially-abled persons and 40 polling stations will be manned by youths.

There will also be 45 green polling stations in order to spread the message about environmental concerns and 33 unique polling stations, he said, adding 29 polling stations are established near the Line of Control or International Border for border residents.

“The purpose behind these special polling stations is to spread awareness among sections of society like women, specially-abled persons and first-time young voters to come forward and exercise their right to vote,” he said.

- PTI

The highlight of the voting will be the participation of West Pakistani refugees - the Valmiki Samaj and Gorkha community - who got voting rights in assembly, urban local bodies and panchayat elections only after Article 370 was abrogated. They have earlier voted in panchayat and urban local bodies polls in 2018.

- PTI