J&K Assembly polls: 11.6% voter turnout in the first two hours of the third phase

J&K Assembly polls: Voting underway for third and final phase of elections

In the first two hours of polling for the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, a voter turnout of 11.6% was recorded on Tuesday. This strong early turnout suggests an encouraging level of engagement among voters across the 40 constituencies involved in this phase.

The turnout in the previous phases was notable, with approximately 62% in the first phase and 58% in the second phase. The early participation this time, particularly among women voters, indicates a potential increase in overall voter engagement compared to earlier phases.

Polling is currently taking place at all 5,060 polling stations set up for the elections, as bright autumn weather greeted voters who eagerly exercised their democratic rights. In total, 1,842 polling stations staffed by over 8,000 personnel are located in the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora in Kashmir, while 3,218 stations are operational in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur districts.

Voters in Baramulla and Kupwara donned woollen clothing, reflecting the cooler temperatures, while those in Jammu and surrounding areas opted for lighter summer attire. Long queues formed early at polling stations in areas such as Pattan, Sangrama, Kreeri, Tangmarg, and Uri, while voters in Jammu celebrated the occasion in traditional Dogri attire, adding a festive atmosphere to the day.

Enthusiasm was particularly high among voters in districts close to the International border, including Samba, Kathua, and Jammu, where they greeted security personnel stationed at polling sites. Special provisions were made to assist sick and elderly voters in casting their ballots.

During this final phase of the elections, a total of 39.18 lakh voters will determine the fate of 415 candidates across 40 constituencies. The constituencies include 11 seats in the Jammu district, three in Samba, six in Kathua, four in Udhampur, and 16 in Baramulla and Kupwara.

The Election Commission has established 5,030 polling stations for this phase, including special facilities for Kashmiri migrant voters, with 11 stations in Jammu, four in Delhi, and one in Udhampur.

Adequate security measures have been implemented to ensure a smooth polling process. Personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and J&K Police have been deployed across the region. On Monday, security arrangements were made to facilitate the safe movement of polling staff and the public.

Polling commenced at 7 a.m. and will conclude at 6 p.m., with vote counting scheduled for October 8.

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