Jammu & Kashmir Elections Assembly Polls 2024: The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded at 6 PM on Wednesday, September 18, in 24 constituencies across seven districts. The first phase witnessed a total voter turnout of 58.85 per cent.
This was the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 that Assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir. The last assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held in 2014.
The Kishtwar seat witnessed 77.23 per cent voter turnout, which is highest in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls. The lowest turnout was recorded in the Pulwama seat, where 46.03 per cent of the voters cast ballots.
As of 5 PM, 58.19 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the Valley, according to the Election Commission.
Multi-layered security arrangements were in place across Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, and Shopian in Kashmir, and Doda,Ramban, Kishtwar in Jammu division, where polling was held in the first phase today.
The polling in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar was halted after chaos ensued over alleged misidentification of voters. People hurled abuses at each other as tensions escalated in Kishtwar, which recorded one of the highest voter turnouts.
Here's the overall total voter turnout in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections:
| S No | District | District Wise Turnout | Constituency | Constituency Wise Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anantnag |
54.17% | Anantnag- 44 | 41.58% |
| 2 | Anantnag West- 43 | 45.93% | ||
| 3 | Dooru- 41 | 57.90% | ||
| 4 | Kokernag(ST)- 42 | 58.00% | ||
| 5 | Pahalgam- 47 | 67.86% | ||
| 6 | Shangus- Anantnag East- 46 | 52.94% | ||
| 7 | Srigufwara- Bijbehara- 45 | 56.02% | ||
| 8 | Doda |
69.33% | Bhadarwah- 51 | 65.27% |
| 9 | Doda-52 | 70.21% | ||
| 10 | Doda West -53 | 74.14% | ||
| 11 | Kishtwar |
77.23% | Inderwal -48 | 80.06% |
| 12 | Kishtwar- 49 | 75.04% | ||
| 13 | Padder- Nagseni- 50 | 76.80% | ||
| 14 | Kulgam |
61.57% | D.H. Pora -38 | 68.00% |
| 15 | Devsar- 40 | 54.73% | ||
| 16 | Kulgam -39 | 62.70% | ||
| 17 | Pulwama |
46.03% | Pampore -32 | 44.78% |
| 18 | Pulwama- 34 | 50.42% | ||
| 19 | Rajpora -35 | 48.07% | ||
| 20 | Tral - 33 | 40.58% | ||
| 21 | Ramban |
67.71% | Banihal -55 | 68.00% |
| 22 | Ramban -54 | 67.34% | ||
| 23 | Shopian |
53.64% | Shopian -37 | 54.72% |
| 24 | Zainapora -36 | 52.64% |
Earlier today, voters thronged the polling stations in Doda district of Jammu region to exercise their franchise. They expressed happiness about being able to take part in the Assembly elections to elect their representatives and also hoped that the polls would be followed by restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.
Over 23 lakh voters will decide the fate of 219 candidates, including 90 Independents, who are running for 24 assembly segments in the first phase. The other two phases are scheduled to be held on September 25 and October 1. The counting of the votes will take place on October 8.