The third phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir registered a cumulative voter turnout of 28.12 percent as of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, according to data from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Udhampur district led with the highest turnout at 33.84 percent, followed by Kathua at 31.78 percent and Samba at 31.50 percent.
On the lower end, Baramulla saw the least voter engagement with a turnout of 23.20 percent. Other districts recorded the following figures: Bandipore at 28.04 percent, Jammu at 27.15 percent, and Kupwara at 27.34 percent. Polling for this third and final phase began at 7 a.m. across 40 constituencies in seven districts of the Union Territory.
Polling began at 7 a.m. across 40 constituencies in seven districts of the Union Territory. The voting, scheduled to conclude at 6 p.m., is taking place in 24 constituencies in Jammu division and 16 in Kashmir, with tight security to ensure peaceful elections.
As voting for the third phase of elections begins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence in the participation of women voters in large numbers in the festival of democracy.
In a post on X, PM Modi also called upon first-time voters to exercise their franchise. “Today is the third and last round of voting in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. I request all voters to come forward and cast their votes to make the festival of democracy a success. I am confident that apart from the young friends who are going to vote for the first time, women power will also participate in the voting in large numbers”.
At least 415 candidates, including former deputy Chief Ministers Tara Chand of Congress and Muzaffar Hussain Baig, are contesting in the third phase. Mock polling also took place at various polling booths before the start of the polls.
This election is notable as the first in a decade and the first since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The three-phase election involves a multi-party contest for the 90 seats across the former state. The National Conference (NC) and the Congress have formed an alliance for these elections, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are among the other major contenders.
The campaigning saw major political parties, especially the BJP, Congress, NC, and PDP, engaging in heated debates over key issues including Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism, and reservation. The counting of the votes will be done on October 8.
(ANI)