Jammu and Kashmir Polls: Voter Turnout Remains Consistent with 2014 Levels in Phase One

The voter turnout in the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections remained largely unchanged from 2014. The Election Commission reported a tentative turnout of just over 61% for the 24 assembly seats across seven districts. This figure might increase slightly due to some polling stations being located in remote areas of the Pir Panjal Mountain range. In 2014, these districts recorded a turnout of 60.19%.

The recent elections marked the first since Article 370 was revoked in 2019. The delimitation exercise in 2022 added two seats, one each in Doda and Kishtwar districts, bringing the total to 24 seats. Notably, Shopian district saw an increase in voter participation, while Pulwama experienced a slight decline.

Voter Turnout Variations

In Shangus-Anantnag, voter turnout dropped significantly to 52.94% compared to 68.78% a decade ago. Damhal Hanjipora, previously Noorabad, saw a turnout of 68%, down from 80.92% in 2014. Doda and Doda West segments recorded turnouts of 70.21% and 74.14%, respectively, both lower than their previous figures of 79.51%.

Kokernag, now reserved for Scheduled Tribes after delimitation, experienced a turnout drop of over seven percentage points, with only 58% voting. Inderwal's turnout rose to 80% from 75.72%, while Kishtwar saw a decrease from 78.23% to 75.04%.

Peaceful Polling Process

In the Kashmir Valley's 16 seats, voter turnout was similar to that in 2014. On Wednesday, 53.55% of the electorate voted compared to 54.93% previously. Officials noted that polling across four districts in Kashmir was peaceful without any major incidents.

This election is significant as it is the first since Jammu and Kashmir became a union territory and since the last assembly elections in 2014. A multi-cornered contest emerged with Jamaat-e-Islami-backed independents adding complexity to the campaign landscape.

The overall voter engagement reflects both continuity and change in political participation across Jammu and Kashmir's diverse regions during this pivotal electoral event.