Voting in Jammu and Kashmir.Image credit source: PTI
Assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370 and becoming a union territory. The first phase of voting was completed yesterday i.e. on 18th September, but looking at the voting percentage, it seems that people are not very enthusiastic. If we look at the figures of the Election Commission, it is clear that this time too the voting percentage was close to 2014.
The Election Commission has said that in the first phase, 61 percent voting was done in Jammu and Kashmir till 11:30 am. Little progress can be seen in this, as these elections have been held in the inaccessible valley of Pir Panjal. Therefore, data from many places has not yet been incorporated. The vote percentage in this phase is marginally higher than the vote percentage in the first phase of 2014. If we compare the districts in which elections were held this time with last time, this time 2 seats have increased after delimitation. The polling percentage for 16 seats in the Valley remained the same as in 2014. On Wednesday, 53.55 percent of the electorate voted, compared to 54.93 percent voting in 24 assembly seats in 7 districts in the first phase of the last election.
Stated what percentage of voting took place
Terrorism-hit Shopian saw the highest voter turnout this time, while Pulwama saw a slight drop in polling percentage this time. The biggest decline was seen in Shangas-Anantnag, where only 52.94 per cent of the electorate voted, compared to 68.78 per cent 10 years ago. Damhal Hanjipora, formerly known as Noorabad, saw 68 percent voter turnout this time, compared to 80.92 percent in 2014.
Doda and Doda West recorded 70.21 percent and 74.14 percent voting respectively. Before delimitation, 79.51 percent voting was done in these areas. Kokarnag, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes after delimitation, saw only 58.00 percent voting here this time. Inderwal division saw 80 percent voting this time, while 10 years ago Kishtwar recorded 75.72 percent voting, down from 78.23 percent to 75.04 percent.
