SRINAGAR: In the first major electoral exercise after Article 370 abrogation and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded the combined poll percentage of 58.11% for the five parliamentary seats in the Union Territory, which is the record highest voter turnout in last 35 years.
“The voter turnout in the polls this year shows the confidence of people in the system. They have come out from the shadows of poll boycott and reposed trust in democratic setup. They have voted fearlessly,” said a political analyst.
The voting turnout in Udhampur, where Union MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh is pitted against Congress’s Lal Singh in direct fight, was 68.27%; the poll percentage in Jammu seat where from sitting BJP MP Jugal Kishore is seeking third term was 72.2%, in Srinagar LS seat where from NC’s Aga Ruhullah is pitted against PDP’s Waheed Para was 39.09%, the poll percentage in Baramulla LS seat, where NC’s Omar Abdullah, jailed ex MLA Er Rashid and Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone are involved in triangular contest, was 59.10% while the high stake Anantnag-Rajouri LS seat where from PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, NC’s Mian Altaf and Apni Party’s Zafar Manhas are involved in triangular contest, recorded 53% voting.
According to J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), P K Pole, the combined poll percentage in five parliamentary seats in J&K is 58.11 percent, which is the highest voter turnout in the last 35 years.
He said the turnout was the highest since the outbreak of militancy in the region in 1990. According to statistics released by CEO, as against 58% voting reported in five LS seats in J&K this year, 44.07% polling was reported in 2019, 49.58% in 2014, 39.04% in 2009, 34.07% in 2004, 30.89% in 1999, 43.35% in 1998, 47.99% in 1996 and 29.93% voter turnout in 1989.
The Lok Sabha polls was the first major electoral exercise in J&K since abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state into two UTs.
The polling in five parliamentary seats in Jammu and Kashmir has ended. The polling for Udhampur Lok Sabha seat was held in first phase, Jammu seat in second phase, Srinagar in fourth, Baramulla in 5th phase and Anantnag-Rajouri in sixth phase on May 25.
Turnout in Jammu LS seat was 72%
The turnout out in Udhampur, where Union MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh is pitted against Congress’s Lal Singh in direct fight, was 68.27%; the poll percentage in Jammu seat from where sitting BJP MP Jugal Kishore is seeking third term was 72.2%, in Srinagar where from NC’s Aga Ruhullah is pitted against PDP’s Waheed Para was 39.09%