J&K Assembly Elections Phase 3: Over 11% Voting Recorded by 9 AM

Voting for Phase 3 of Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly elections began today. October 1, 2024, with over 39.18 lakh eligible voters across seven districts casting their ballots. The phase will determine the fate of 415 candidates. Including prominent figures such as former deputy Chief Ministers Tara Chand and Muzaffar Beig. Elections are being held in 40 Assembly constituencies, including Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua in the Jammu region, and Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara in north Kashmir.

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A significant aspect of this phase is the participation of West Pakistani refugees from the Valmiki Samaj and Gorkha communities. These communities, previously deprived of voting rights in Assembly, urban local bodies, and panchayat elections, were enfranchised following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Although they last voted in local body and panchayat elections in 2018. This is their first time participating in Assembly elections, marking a historic moment in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.

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Strong Security and Voter Turnout in J&K Phase 3 Polls

Security has been a priority, with Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Anand Jain. Confirming that extensive arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful and terror-free polling. More than 20,000 polling staff have been mobilized to oversee the election process across 5,060 polling stations.

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Voter turnout has been encouraging in the earlier phases, with 61.38% participation recorded in the first phase on September 18 and 57.31% in the second phase on September 26. Authorities are hopeful for a similarly strong turnout in this phase, underscoring the significance of the election in shaping the region’s governance post the revocation of Article 370. The participation of new voter segments, like the West Pakistani refugees, adds further weight to this democratic exercise.

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