Jammu Lok Sabha Constituency Witnesses 72% Voter Turnout

The Jammu parliamentary constituency witnessed a significant voter turnout of nearly 72 per cent on Friday during the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, as reported by officials. This figure, although slightly lower than the 74 per cent turnout in the 2019 general elections, underscores the vibrant democratic spirit prevalent among the over 17.80 lakh eligible voters in the region. The election saw a peaceful process across 2,416 polling stations, with no untoward incidents reported.

Despite the challenging hot weather conditions, voters from diverse areas including Jammu, Samba, Reasi, and Rajouri showcased their enthusiasm by forming long queues at polling stations. The youth and first-time voters were particularly keen on participating in what is often celebrated as a festival of democracy. Among the 22 candidates vying for the seat is the incumbent MP Jugal Kishore Sharma from the BJP, aiming for a third consecutive term. The INDIA bloc has put forward Raman Bhalla of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress as its candidate.

This election marks a significant milestone being the first major electoral event in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of the state into Union territories in August 2019. Notably, the highest voter turnout was observed in the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi assembly segment at 79.43 per cent. Other segments also saw substantial participation, with Marh and Akhnoor recording turnouts of 79.31 per cent and 78.27 per cent respectively.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, after casting his vote in Trikutanagar, expressed confidence in the electoral process and anticipated a favourable outcome for the BJP. Similarly, sitting MP Sharma encouraged citizens to exercise their voting rights to strengthen democracy. Ravinder Raina, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief, commended the high voter enthusiasm observed since morning.

Congress candidate Bhalla praised the smooth conduct of polls and expressed optimism about winning with divine blessings from Mata Vaishno Devi, highlighting Reasi's inclusion in the Jammu constituency as a strategic advantage. In an inspiring moment, 102-year-old Haji Karamdin from Reasi district participated in voting, exemplifying the democratic zeal among citizens of all ages.

To ensure a free and fair election process, more than 15,000 poll staff were deployed across various polling stations, including those along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC). Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang K Pole detailed comprehensive security arrangements and contingency plans to prevent any disruptions during polling. Additionally, around 1,454 polling stations were equipped with CCTV cameras for live webcasting to maintain transparency.

The Jammu constituency's active participation sets a precedent for democratic engagement in Jammu and Kashmir. With polling also concluded in the Udhampur seat on April 19 with over 68 per cent voter turnout, it reflects a broader trend of robust electoral participation across the region.