An official said that the voting percentage in the 24 assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir was around 58. 19% at 5 p.m. as the first phase of the much-awaited election is underway. This is an important political event because this is the first assembly election since the government annulled the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. The first phase, which was conducted on the 18th of September, 2024, will comprise seven districts in the Chenab Valley and the South Kashmir region.
From the Election Commission, it has been revealed that all the polling activities have been free from any complications. ‘Large-scale polling is on right now and the trend of polling shows that voters are coming out in large numbers and hence we expect over sixty percent polling,’ said J&K Chief Electoral Officer P. K. Pole. This phase includes the districts of the Chenab Valley, which are Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, as well as districts in the south of the Kashmir valley, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian. Out of more than 23,27,216 eligible voters, 11,76,685 are men, and 11,51,531 are women, and they will be exercising their franchise to choose the 24 Assembly seats.
To cast their votes, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been urged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise. Likewise, other important political leaders like Congress general secretary Mallikarjun Kharge, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have appealed to youths, women and first-time voters to go out and vote in the election actively. They focused on the need to vote in the right manner so as to help mould the future of the region.
As with every political event that has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, this election also sought to bend high voter turnout. The outcome of the polls so far has been peaceful, and this adds to the expectations of the final results.
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