LS Elections, Phase 4: J-K's Srinagar Witnesses Highest Turnout Since 1998 In First Post-Article 370 Polls

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 4 Voter Turnout: Srinagar witnessed a 37.93% polling, the highest since the 1998 elections. Three generations of the Abdullah family, son Farooq, Omar, and grandsons, cast their votes.

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, his son and party Vice President Omar Abdullah and grandsons Zamir Abdullah and Zahir Abdullah show their ink marked fingers after casting their votes at a polling booth during the 4th phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Srinagar, Monday, May 13, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 4 Voter Turnout: In the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls covering 96 constituencies across 10 states and Union Territories, a notable voter turnout of 64 per cent was recorded on Monday. The Srinagar seat, a focal point in Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed a particularly high turnout, reaching 37.93%, the highest since the 1998 elections, according to approximate trends released by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The turnout in Srinagar reflects a significant moment as it marked the first general election in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370.  A yearly gross voter turnout of Srinagar shared by the ECI is as follows: 1996 - 40.94%, 1998 - 30.06%, 1999 - 11.93%, 2004 -  18.57%, 2009 - 25.55%, 2014 - 25.86%, and 2019 - 14.43%.

Here is a detailed breakup of the polling in Srinagar:

Jammu And Kashmir: 3 Generations Of Abdullah Family Vote In Srinagar, LG Lauds High Turnout

Notably, three generations of the Abdullah family participated in the electoral process, casting their votes in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. National Conference (NC) chief and former J-K chief minister Farooq Abdullah, son Omar Abdullah, and his two grandsons, Zahir and Zamir, who were first-time electors, exercised their franchise at the Burn Hall School polling station.

"We have two first-time voters with us. It is for the first time that three generations of our family are voting together," remarked Omar Abdullah, as quoted by news agency PTI. He also highlighted, "It is for the first time since 1998 that no member of the Abdullah family is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Srinagar. The only loss the NC suffered on this seat was in the 2014 general elections."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opted not to contest any of the three Lok Sabha seats, including Srinagar, in Kashmir while it remains optimistic that these elections will mark the end of the NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) dominance in the region.

The NC, backed by the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, has put forward influential Shia leader and former minister Aga Ruhullah Mehdi as its candidate. On the other hand, the PDP has chosen its youth unit president, Waheed Para, to represent them. Amid expectations of a tight contest between Mehdi and Para for the Srinagar seat, Mohammad Ashraf Mir from the Apni Party and Amir Ahmad Bhat from the DPAP also entered the fray, alongside 20 other candidates, including two women.

In the aftermath of the Article 370 abrogation, Omar Abdullah, addressing reporters after voting, emphasised the importance of voting as the only democratic way to raise their voice against the decisions taken by the Union government. Alleging that NC workers were harassed, he stated, "We have provided to the EC (Election Commission) names of eight of our workers so that they don't say that we are talking without proof. It was not an exhaustive list but an indicative list. We gave the details of police stations where they were taken. We did not accuse a particular officer, we have said that it was being done by the administration."

"We are getting reports from other constituencies. Our polling agents were so scared that many of them did not go to their homes last night, fearing that they might be detained. Some of them slept over with their friends and relatives while some had to spend the night in their cars. If this is free and fair election, then they can keep it at home," he added.

In response to allegations from Apni Party head Altaf Bukhari regarding administration harassment, Omar Abdullah dismissed them as baseless, "Apni Party levelling these kind of allegations is a joke. All this is being done to benefit them only. Who else is here to contest for the Centre?" He expressed hope for fairer proceedings in the future.

Farooq Abdullah echoed his son's sentiments, expressing both satisfaction at the electoral process and concern over the alleged detention of political workers in the lead-up to the polls.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha commended the significant voter turnout, hailing it as a testament to the electorate's commitment to democracy. "Today, people came out in large numbers to cast their votes in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency and reaffirmed their faith in democracy and the Constitution," remarked Sinha, expressing optimism for the forthcoming phases of the elections.

It is heartening to see the huge surge in voting percentage in the biggest festival of democracy. I truly appreciate the enthusiasm of electors and hopeful to see historic turnout in the next two phases. I appeal to all to vote without fear and vote with responsibility and pride.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 13, 2024

"It is heartening to see the huge surge in voting percentage in the biggest festival of democracy. I truly appreciate the enthusiasm of electors and hopeful to see historic turnout in the next two phases. I appeal to all to vote without fear and vote with responsibility and pride," he added.