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 mentioned.“As many as 20 assembly segments registered lower voter turnout than 2014,” he mentioned.
The general turnout determine may build up as extra knowledge 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 full 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 task in contemporary months.
Reasi and Poonch recorded a voter turnout of just about 72%, whilst Rajouri noticed about 68% turnout, in keeping with EC. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency in Reasi, created in 2022 all through the delimitation workout, recorded the perfect turnout at 75%, adopted via Poonch Haveli at 73%.
“Voter enthusiasm was high even at polling stations near the LoC in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch,” an respectable mentioned.
In Higher Dhangri, a mountainside village 10km south of the district headquarters in Rajouri, citizens voted with choice regardless of the lingering reminiscence of a New Yr’s Day terrorist assault in 2023 that killed six other 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,” mentioned a voter.
In a similar fashion, citizens of Topi Peer village in Poonch’s Surankote constituency additionally grew to become out in massive numbers. The village had made headlines in 2023 after 3 of its citizens have been killed all through wondering following a terrorist ambush that left 4 squaddies useless on Dec 21.
Akbar Khan, 83, solid his vote within the border constituency of Mendhar in Poonch, accompanied via his circle of relatives. Ahead of balloting, Khan mentioned: “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 significantly decrease. Budgam and Ganderbal districts recorded a turnout of just about 59%, whilst Srinagar noticed simply over 27%. Voter disillusionment over problems akin 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,” mentioned Zubair, a postgraduate from Srinagar’s Nowhatta space. First-time voter Falak Momim expressed her disillusionment via opting for the NOTA possibility. “All these politicians are liars,” she mentioned.
A complete of 239 applicants are contesting in the second one section, together with a number of distinguished 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.
