J&K Assembly Elections Record 63.88% Turnout, Women Set New Milestone in Phase-3 Voting

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections saw a robust voter turnout of 63.88%, surpassing the 58.58% recorded during the Lok Sabha elections, according to the Election Commission (EC). Phase 3, which took place on October 1, featured 40 constituencies going to the polls, with an impressive 69.69% voter participation. Notably, women outnumbered men, with 70.02% of women casting their votes compared to 69.37% of men. This marked a significant trend, showcasing the growing political engagement of women in the Union Territory.

The turnout among the third gender category also saw an increase, with 44% of voters from this group participating in the Phase-3 elections. Overall, male participation across the election phases stood at 64.68%, while women recorded 63.04% turnout, and the third gender had 38.24% participation.

The EC noted that final vote counts will be available after counting, which will include the results of postal ballots. Postal ballots are provided to service voters, absentee voters such as those over 85 years old, persons with disabilities, essential service providers, and election duty personnel. The Election Commission emphasized that the daily tally of postal ballots is transparently shared with all candidates, as per established protocols.

This election marks a strong indication of voter enthusiasm in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly with women leading the charge in phase 3, signaling their growing role in shaping the future political landscape of the Union Territory.