JAN AAS TIMES | New Delhi
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: The second one segment of the three-part J&Okay meeting elections noticed a 56% voter turnout throughout 26 constituencies Wednesday, protecting 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&Okay’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 building up as extra knowledge from 3,502 polling stations throughout 15 constituencies in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu is counted. Vote casting came about from 7am to 6pm.
Within the first segment on Sept 18, voter turnout used to be recorded at 61%, protecting 24 of the overall 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 observed 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 fresh months.
Reasi and Poonch recorded a voter turnout of just about 72%, whilst Rajouri noticed about 68% turnout, consistent with EC. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency in Reasi, created in 2022 right through the delimitation workout, recorded the easiest turnout at 75%, adopted through Poonch Haveli at 73%.
“Voter enthusiasm was high even at polling stations near the LoC in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch,” an reputable stated.
In Higher Dhangri, a mountainside village 10km south of the district headquarters in Rajouri, citizens voted with decision regardless of the lingering reminiscence of a New Yr’s Day terrorist assault in 2023 that killed six other people, together with two kids. “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 way, 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 right through 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 through his circle of relatives. Sooner than balloting, Khan stated: “Young people should vote and choose a good candidate. The govt should work sincerely for the public.”
Against this, the turnout in Kashmir used to be significantly decrease. Budgam and Ganderbal districts recorded a turnout of just about 59%, whilst Srinagar noticed simply over 27%. Voter disillusionment over problems corresponding 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 through opting for the NOTA choice. “All these politicians are liars,” she stated.
A complete of 239 applicants are contesting in the second one segment, together with a number of outstanding political figures. Nationwide Convention (NC) vice chairman 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&Okay leader Ravinder Raina is looking for re-election from Nowshera in Rajouri, a seat he received in 2014. J&Okay Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra is operating in Srinagar’s Central Shalteng constituency.
