J&K Assembly elections conclude peacefully, voter turnout at 63.45%

The polling for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded in a "peaceful and celebratory atmosphere," marking the end of the third and final phase on Tuesday.

In Phase 3, 40 Assembly constituencies across 7 districts saw voting at 5,060 polling stations. A total of 415 candidates were in the fray, including 387 men and 28 women.

These Assembly elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370, were held in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir after a gap of nearly ten years. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8.

"The three-phased Assembly Election in J&K concluded today with the third and final phase of polling. The Election Commission of India had issued the formal schedule on August 16. Polling for 24 constituencies took place on September 18, the second phase for 26 constituencies on September 25, and the final phase for 40 constituencies today. The poll percentage in the first phase was 61.38%, 57.31% in the second phase, and a tentative 68.72% in the third phase. The overall poll percentage stands at 63.45% (tentative)," according to an official statement.

As per the data, Kupwara recorded a poll percentage of 65.81%, Baramulla 59.84%, Bandipora 67.57%, Ganderbal 62.83%, Srinagar 30.08%, Budgam 63.28%, Pulwama 46.99%, Shopian 57.01%, Kulgam 63.14%, and Anantnag 57.90%.

In the Jammu region, Kishtwar recorded 80.20%, Doda 71.32%, Ramban 70.57%, Reasi 74.68%, Udhampur 75.87%, Kathua 72.23%, Samba 75.22%, Jammu 70.25%, Rajouri 71.13%, and Poonch 74.37%.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) stated that the polling concluded peacefully in a celebratory atmosphere.

"The elections were a resounding statement in favour of democracy, in line with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar's confidence expressed during the announcement of the general elections in J&K on August 16," the statement said.

At the time, Rajiv Kumar had expressed that "the world will witness the defeat of nefarious interests and the triumph of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir."

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar added, "The J&K Assembly elections mark a significant deepening of democracy, which will echo in the pages of history and inspire the democratic spirit of the region for years to come. These elections are dedicated to the people of J&K, acknowledging their determination and belief in the democratic process. The peaceful and participative elections are historic, with democracy taking root more deeply than ever before, driven by the will of the people of J&K."

The elections also saw a notable increase in voter turnout in areas historically associated with militancy and boycotting democratic processes. Polling percentages rose by 12.97% in the Pulwama Assembly constituency compared to the 2014 elections. Zainapora in Shopian saw a 9.52% increase, while Eidgah in Srinagar recorded a 9.16% rise, reflecting growing confidence in the electoral process.

The National Conference and Congress formed a pre-poll alliance, while the PDP and BJP contested separately.

Prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (BJP), Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and former J&K Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, campaigned extensively for weeks.

The West Pakistani refugee community exercised their right to vote for the first time in Assembly elections after gaining citizenship following the abrogation of Article 370.

In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024.