JAN AAS TIMES | New Delhi
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: The second one section of the three-part J&Ok meeting elections noticed a 56% voter turnout throughout 26 constituencies Wednesday, overlaying six districts — Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam in central Kashmir and Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi in Jammu department.
The balloting procedure proceeded peacefully amid tight safety, J&Ok’s leader electoral officer PK Pole stated.“As many as 20 assembly segments registered lower voter turnout than 2014,” he stated.
The overall turnout determine may just building up as extra information from 3,502 polling stations throughout 15 constituencies in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu is counted. Vote casting happened from 7am to 6pm.
Within the first section on Sept 18, voter turnout was once recorded at 61%, overlaying 24 of the entire 90 meeting seats. The elections will wrap up on Oct 1, with votes counted on Oct 8.
Extra votes have been polled in Jammu department in comparison to Kashmir. Lengthy queues have been noticed at polling stations in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts of Jammu, the place safety forces have been deployed widely because of larger terrorist process in fresh months.
Reasi and Poonch recorded a voter turnout of just about 72%, whilst Rajouri noticed about 68% turnout, in line with EC. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency in Reasi, created in 2022 all over the delimitation workout, recorded the best possible turnout at 75%, adopted by means of Poonch Haveli at 73%.
“Voter enthusiasm was high even at polling stations near the LoC in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch,” an professional stated.
In Higher Dhangri, a mountainside village 10km south of the district headquarters in Rajouri, citizens voted with decision in spite of the lingering reminiscence of a New 12 months’s Day terrorist assault in 2023 that killed six folks, together with two youngsters. “People now hope that with their own elected legislator, their concerns will reach the corridors of govt and solutions will be provided,” stated a voter.
In a similar fashion, citizens of Topi Peer village in Poonch’s Surankote constituency additionally became out in huge numbers. The village had made headlines in 2023 after 3 of its citizens have been killed all over wondering following a terrorist ambush that left 4 infantrymen useless on Dec 21.
Akbar Khan, 83, forged his vote within the border constituency of Mendhar in Poonch, accompanied by means of his circle of relatives. Prior to balloting, Khan stated: “Young people should vote and choose a good candidate. The govt should work sincerely for the public.”
By contrast, the turnout in Kashmir was once particularly decrease. Budgam and Ganderbal districts recorded a turnout of just about 59%, whilst Srinagar noticed simply over 27%. Voter disillusionment over problems comparable to unemployment and financial demanding situations most probably contributed to the low turnout in Srinagar, which encompasses 8 constituencies: Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habba Kadal, Lal Chowk, Chanapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng, and Eidgah.
“I have completed my education, but where are the jobs? Our youths are struggling, and no one seems to have a clear plan,” stated Zubair, a postgraduate from Srinagar’s Nowhatta house. First-time voter Falak Momim expressed her disillusionment by means of opting for the NOTA possibility. “All these politicians are liars,” she stated.
A complete of 239 applicants are contesting in the second one section, together with a number of outstanding political figures. Nationwide Convention (NC) vp and previous CM Omar Abdullah is contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal. In Ganderbal, Abdullah faces a problem from separatist cleric Sarjan Ahmad Barkati, who could also be contesting from Beerwah. The Ganderbal constituency recorded a 57% turnout.
In Jammu, BJP’s J&Ok leader Ravinder Raina is looking for re-election from Nowshera in Rajouri, a seat he gained in 2014. J&Ok Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra is working in Srinagar’s Central Shalteng constituency.
