High Voter Turnout Marks First Phase of Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections

The first phase of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections began with peaceful and enthusiastic voting. Voters from all backgrounds came out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote, showing their trust in democracy. This strong response reaffirmed the confidence expressed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Shri Rajiv Kumar, who stated that the people of J&K would send a strong message against those trying to disrupt the election process. As of 7:30 PM, the voter turnout stood at an impressive 58.85%.

Long Lines of Eager Voters

Across 3,276 polling stations in 24 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) within seven districts — Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Ramban, and Doda — long lines of voters could be seen throughout the day. The voter turnout in this phase exceeded the participation seen during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, which had the highest voter turnout in J&K in 35 years.

A total of 219 candidates are competing in this phase, including 9 women candidates. The participation of young voters and women was particularly notable, showing their strong commitment to democracy. Their excitement to vote sent a clear message in favor of peaceful elections, rejecting any calls for boycotts or violence.

Election Commission’s Close Monitoring

The Election Commission, led by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, carefully monitored every aspect of the election. They made sure the process ran smoothly with strong security measures in place, so voters could cast their ballots without fear. The polling stations had webcasting for live monitoring, while 32 Central Observers were stationed across the districts to ensure the process was free from disruptions.

Voting for Kashmiri Migrants and Special Facilities

Special arrangements were made for Kashmiri migrant voters, allowing them to vote in 24 special polling stations set up in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi. These voters could now cast their ballots more easily, thanks to the removal of a previously difficult process.

For the first time in J&K’s Assembly elections, a home-voting facility was introduced for senior citizens and people with disabilities. This allowed voters aged over 85 and those with more than 40% disability to vote from their homes. At the polling stations, elderly voters were warmly welcomed and provided with all necessary facilities.

Elderly Citizens Proudly Displaying Their Inked Fingers

The first phase of voting saw a turnout of 58.85% as of 7:30 PM, but this number is expected to change as more data comes in. The Voter Turnout App will continue to update the numbers, and a final press note will be issued later tonight with the complete details.

Here is a district-wise breakdown of the approximate voter turnout as of 7:30 PM:

District	No. of ACs	Voter Turnout (%)
Anantnag	7	54.17
Doda	3	69.33
Kishtwar	3	77.23
Kulgam	3	61.57
Pulwama	4	46.03
Ramban	2	67.71
Shopian	2	53.64

Overall, the first phase has been a great success, with people from all walks of life coming together to vote in these important elections.

Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.