Jammu/Srinagar: The third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded with a strong voter turnout of 65.48% as of 5 PM on Tuesday, according to Election Commission data. Polling was held across 40 Assembly segments in seven districts, including the winter capital Jammu, marking the highest engagement in an election since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The border districts of Kashmir—Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara—witnessed a voter turnout of 60%, with Sopore and Baramulla towns showing significant electoral participation. Historically, these towns were strongholds of separatism and boycott. However, the voter turnout in these areas was nearly 5% lower than in the 2014 Assembly elections, although some constituencies did record an improvement over the previous elections.
Polling began at 7 AM and continued until 6 PM under heightened security measures. More than 39.18 lakh eligible voters were poised to decide the fate of 415 candidates, including prominent political figures such as former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand and Muzaffar Baig, and other veteran leaders. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 8.
Turnout Data: A Mixed Response Across Districts
The voter turnout in Sopore town—a former hotbed of militancy—rose to 41.44%, up 11% from the 2014 polls. In the Baramulla Assembly constituency, nearly 48% of the electorate cast their votes, marking an 8% rise compared to the previous election. Pattan, another key constituency in the district, recorded a turnout of 61%, which is higher than the 2014 figures.
Several factors contributed to this increase in participation, such as the presence of Aijaz Guru, brother of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who ran as a candidate in Sopore. Similarly, in Baramulla, Abdul Rehman Shalla, an independent candidate backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, played a crucial role in encouraging voter turnout.
On the other hand, constituencies like Langate, Kupwara, and Handwara, which had previously seen high turnout, experienced a decline. In Langate, the native constituency of Sheikh Abdul Rashid, voter participation dropped significantly. Kupwara and Handwara, both contested by People’s Conference president Sajad Lone, also registered reduced turnout.
Border constituencies Uri and Karnah recorded more than a 10% dip compared to the 2014 polls. Uri’s turnout, which had been 82.85% in 2014, fell to 64.81%, while Karnah saw a slight drop.
The Impact of Article 370’s Abrogation
The Assembly elections in J&K are the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped the region of its special status. Since then, this election has been viewed as a litmus test of the political climate in the region. Voters, including those from historically marginalized communities like the West Pakistani Refugees, Valmiki Samaj, and the Gorkha community, participated in large numbers. These communities gained voting rights for the first time after the abrogation, contributing to the overall enthusiasm.
Voter enthusiasm was evident in the long queues outside polling stations, even in areas historically affected by militancy. Despite these positive signs, the region remains deeply divided, with some areas, particularly in North Kashmir, still recording low turnouts.
District and Segment-Wise Performance
In Jammu district, the highest voter turnout was recorded in Chhamb at 77.35%, followed closely by Akhnoor (76.28%) and Marh (76.10%). Udhampur district saw an impressive turnout with Udhampur West recording 73.20%, Udhampur East at 74.07%, and Chenani at 73.79%. These figures represent a broad-based engagement across constituencies in the region.
Kathua district, too, registered a high turnout, with all its segments seeing more than 67% of voter participation. Similarly, Samba and Bandipora districts recorded strong numbers, with 72.91% and 63.33% turnout, respectively. Among the constituencies, Pattan recorded a turnout of 60.87%, while Baramulla, known for its electoral volatility, saw a respectable turnout of 47.95%.
Security and Polling Arrangements
The Election Commission ensured a smooth polling process with over 400 companies of security personnel deployed across the region. No major incidents of violence were reported. Special polling stations were set up along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border to accommodate residents from sensitive areas. Additionally, efforts to increase voter participation included 50 women-managed polling stations and 43 polling stations manned by people with disabilities. The commission also established 45 environmentally conscious green polling stations to promote awareness.
A Peaceful Phase, But Challenges Ahead
Although the election was conducted peacefully, the lower turnout in certain constituencies reflects the challenges that persist in restoring faith in the political process in parts of Kashmir. Areas like Sopore and Baramulla, while showing improvement, still need to overcome historical barriers of mistrust.
With vote counting set for October 8, all eyes are on the outcome, which will indicate how the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir has shifted post-Article 370. The voter turnout numbers reflect both the optimism and apprehension of the people, but the significant participation signals a renewed engagement with the democratic process.
Must Read: What Has Removal of Article 370 Achieved? A Detailed Analysis of Voting in J&K
