Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 18: Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday witnessed a historic event as the ballot attracted voters in bulk including those who had never voted so far.
Today was the first election in a decade and first after revocation of Article 370 and first also in J&K as a UT. Nevertheless, there was huge participation in all 24 Assembly segments
Once marred by boycotts and the looming threat of terrorism, Kashmir was seen celebrating its democratic rights with a renewed sense of hope after 10 years.
The voting took place for 24 assembly seats across seven districts in Jammu and Kashmir, including areas that were once reluctant to participate in the electoral process.
This time, however, districts such as Shopian, Tral, and Pulwama—often in the shadow of insurgency—saw an enthusiastic voter turnout. What makes this election particularly notable is not just the ten-year gap, but also the transformation of the electoral landscape post-Article 370- change that has injected fresh optimism into the region.
The first phase of the election held on Tuesday concluded with an overall polling turnout of 58.85%. A comparative analysis of voter turnout reveals the changing political dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir. For instance, Anantnag saw a rise from 39.7% in 2014 to 54.17% in 2024, while districts like Pulwama, often hit hardest by conflict, experienced an increase from 38.1% in 2014 to 43.87% this year.
For this election, a total of 219 candidates competed across 16 assembly constituencies in Kashmir division and eight constituencies in Jammu division. Over 23.27 lakh voters were eligible to cast their votes, with 3,276 polling stations set up to ensure a smooth voting process. The districts where voting took place included Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam in the Kashmir division, and Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar in the Jammu division.
Demographics played a crucial role in this election, with a significant proportion of young voters between the ages of 18 to 29 years, including 1.23 lakh first-time voters. Notably, the election also saw the inclusion of 60 third-gender voters and 28,309 persons with disabilities (PWD), indicating the region’s efforts toward an inclusive democracy.
In terms of voter turnout by district, Anantnag, a critical region in Kashmir, registered 54.17% turnout, while Doda in Jammu, known for its high voter engagement, saw 63.33%. Despite a marginal dip in areas like Kishtwar and Ramban, with 77.23% and 67.71% turnout respectively, the overall sentiment remained one of participation and engagement. Other key districts like Kulgam and Shopian also witnessed respectable turnouts of 59.62% and 54.64%.
Polling was held in assembly constituencies such as Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, and several others across both divisions. Each of these constituencies saw candidates from various political backgrounds compete for seats, reflecting the diversity of political thought and the multi-faceted nature of Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral landscape.
For many, this election was not just about voting, but about reclaiming a sense of agency and participation in the democratic process. For years, the region struggled with the fear of terrorism and the weight of political instability, but today’s election signals a shift towards normalcy and a brighter, more democratic future.
With approximately 59% turnout in the first phase, the region has made a powerful statement about its faith in democracy. Voters from all walks of life, including the elderly and first-time voters, stood in long queues, undeterred by past fears or political uncertainties. The image of these voters, from districts like Doda and Anantnag, casting their ballots serves as a symbolic rebuke to the adversaries of peace and democracy, and a firm reaffirmation of Jammu and Kashmir’s place within the democratic framework of India.
