Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Election: Phase-3 Polling Sees 69.69% Voting, Women Surpass Men

The third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections saw a voter turnout of 69.69%, with women participating in higher numbers than men, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Thursday.

According to the ECI, female voter turnout was 70.02%, surpassing the 69.37% turnout for men. This phase set a new standard for voter engagement, highlighting the growing significance of women's involvement in the electoral process.

The voter participation in this phase was notably higher than in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with an overall turnout of 63.88% across Jammu and Kashmir, the ECI reported.

The polling process proceeded smoothly across all constituencies, with the highest turnout recorded in the Gurez constituency at an impressive 78.04%.

Several constituencies reported voter turnouts exceeding 70%, including Handwara (72.78%), Sonawari (69.80%), and Udhampur West (77.07%).

The ECI commended the peaceful nature of the elections and remarked, "This phase's turnout reflects the people's strong belief in democracy, and the increased female participation signals a positive change in the electoral landscape of Jammu and Kashmir."

Key constituencies such as Gurez, Karnah, and Udhampur witnessed active participation, although urban areas like Jammu East recorded a slightly lower turnout of 64.35%. Throughout the day, voter turnout for male, female, and third-gender electors was monitored and updated every two hours.

The ECI confirmed that polling parties returned safely, and scrutiny was conducted in the presence of candidates or their agents. The election process was transparent and fair, with no major incidents reported.