NEW DELHI, Oct 1: The third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections concluded peacefully on Tuesday, with an impressive voter turnout of 65.58% across seven districts, as reported by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The polling marked the culmination of a three-phase election process, with the final results set to be declared on October 8.
According to the data released by the ECI, Udhampur recorded the highest voter turnout at 72.91%, followed closely by Samba at 72.41%, Kathua at 70.53%, Jammu at 66.79%, Bandipora at 64.85%, Kupwara at 62.76%, and Baramulla at 55.73%. The overall turnout reflected the region’s growing confidence in the democratic process, with this phase seeing one of the highest participations in recent history.
The ECI hailed the peaceful conclusion of the elections, stating that the electoral process unfolded in a “celebratory atmosphere,” reflecting a significant affirmation of democracy in the Union Territory. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar had previously expressed optimism about the elections during the announcement on August 16, remarking that the elections would be a defining moment for democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, overcoming “nefarious and inimical interests.”
In his latest statement, CEC Rajiv Kumar emphasized the historical importance of these elections, highlighting that they represent a deepening of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. He dedicated the elections to the people of the region, acknowledging their resilience and commitment to the democratic process. “The peaceful and participative nature of these elections is a testament to the will of the people of J&K, and it will continue to inspire future generations,” he said.
The election process saw a notable increase in voter turnout in regions that had previously been marked by militancy and low participation in democratic processes. For instance, the Pulwama Assembly Constituency saw a remarkable increase of 12.97% in voter turnout compared to the 2014 elections, while Zainapora in Shopian and Eidgah in Srinagar recorded increases of 9.52% and 9.16%, respectively. This growing voter engagement is seen as a reflection of increased trust in the electoral system.
The Election Commission also took special measures to ensure that Kashmiri Migrant voters could participate in the elections. A total of 24 special polling stations were established in Jammu (19), Udhampur (1), and Delhi (4), empowering migrants to cast their votes.
Phase-3 involved 40 Assembly constituencies spread across seven districts, with 5,060 polling stations set up to facilitate the voting process. A total of 415 candidates, including 387 men and 28 women, contested in this phase. The districts that participated in the final phase included Bandipora, Baramulla, Jammu, Kathua, Kupwara, Samba, and Udhampur.
The voter turnout for Phase-1 and Phase-2 was 61.38% and 57.31%, respectively, bringing the overall polling percentage for the election to a tentative 63.45%. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8, marking the conclusion of a critical electoral exercise in the region.