Thursday, 19 September 2024
Thursday, 19 September 2024
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are being held for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Over 2,327,000 voters — 1,176,000 men and 1,151,000 women — are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase of the polls.
The first phase of the polls took place for 24 assembly constituencies under seven districts at 3,266 polling stations. These seven districts are Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban.
19 polling stations were set up for Kashmiri migrants to vote for 16 assembly segments of Kashmir.
The voting began at 7 am, and the election commission recorded a voter turnout of more than 58 percent turnout till 5 pm.
From the INDIA alliance, the JKNC contested seats in 18 constituencies, and the INC contested seats in 9 constituencies.
The BJP contested seats in all 24 constituencies, the JKPDP contested seats in 17 constituencies, and the CPI(M) contested only the Kulgam constituency in the first phase of the polls.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer P. K. Pole told PTI, “Polling is being conducted on a large scale. The way polling is progressing indicates a high turnout. We anticipate over 60 percent polling. So far, the polling has been peaceful and incident-free.”
Narendra Modi urged the voters to appear in large numbers. “As the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, I urge all those in constituencies going to the polls today to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise,” he wrote on X.
Rahul Gandhi reminded that the abrogation of Article 370 that granted Jammu and Kashmir special status violated constitutional rights.
“For the first time in the history of the country, the statehood of a state has been taken away, and it has been made a union territory - this is a violation of the constitutional rights of all of you, it is an insult to Jammu and Kashmir,” he wrote on X in Hindi.
Provided “every vote went to INDIA,” Gandhi promised to “restore your rights,” “make women stronger,” and “bring employment opportunities.”
“Today, come out of your homes in large numbers and exercise your democratic right – vote for INDIA,” he concluded.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra endorsed Rahul Gandhi’s message. She wrote that in the last ten years statehood, right to vote and elect a government, the identity and self-respect of Jammu and Kashmir was snatched.
“Use your right to vote in maximum numbers and make INDIA win with a huge majority,” she concluded.
Waheed Parra, PDP candidate from Pulwama district, told The Hindu, “People should come out to vote for peace, progress, development and dignity of J&K. Voting is an act of self-preservance. So much has been lost in the last six years. This voting is to reclaim whatever we have lost.”
Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Independent candidate from Kulgam constituency, told PTI, “I cast my vote intending to change Delhi’s rule on the people of J&K for the last 10 years. Today’s biggest aim is that J-K should prosper and the people feel happy.”
“The people are going to vote to seek the restoration of their land and job rights as well as for the restoration of statehood, and I feel people will come out in large numbers to vote,” he added.
Shagun Parihar, the only female candidate from Kishtwar constituency, told PTI that she was confident her party BJP would “achieve a resounding victory in these elections and form a government in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Terrorism remains one of the biggest issues in this election, as it has been in Jammu and Kashmir for years. The Narendra Modi-led government has made significant strides in countering terrorism, which is a personal concern for me as a victim,” Parihar, whose father Ajit Parihar and uncle Anil Parihar were shot dead by terrorists, added.
After casting his vote, Congress candidate from Banihal constituency of Ramban district Vikar Rasool Wani told ANI that Congress exceeded the National Conference and PDP in terms of work done.
“In the Banihal Assembly constituency, it is the Congress party that has worked and it is the Congress party that will work here. The biggest issue is employment, we will work hard on that too and will make every effort to provide employment to the people,” he said.
Sayar Ahmad Reshi, Independent candidate from Kulgam constituency, told PTI, “People are coming to cast their vote. I also have cast my vote. It’s a victory of democracy.”
The second phase is scheduled for September 25, and the third and final phase will take place on October 1. The votes will be counted on October 8.
