J&K Assembly Elections Conclude with 63.45% Turnout, Kishtwar Records Highest Polling

Tariq Bhat

The three-phased Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir concluded today with the final round of voting. The Election Commission of India had announced the election schedule on 16th August 2024.

 

 

 

The first phase, covering 24 Assembly constituencies, was held on 18th September, followed by the second phase on 25th September for 26 constituencies, and the last phase today for 40 constituencies. Voter turnout for the first phase was recorded at 61.38%, the second phase at 57.31%, and the third phase witnessed a higher turnout of 68.72% (tentative), bringing the overall voter turnout to approximately 63.45%.

 

 

 

 

The district-wise voter turnout showed significant variation compared to previous elections. In Kupwara, turnout was 65.81%, down from 71.48% in 2014, but up from the 63.43% recorded during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Baramulla, on the other hand, saw a higher turnout of 59.84%, a marked improvement from previous elections. Bandipora also recorded a significant turnout of 67.57%, compared to 60.33% in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. Srinagar saw the lowest turnout in the region at 30.08%, but it was still an increase from previous Assembly elections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Jammu division, Kishtwar recorded the highest turnout at 80.20%, followed by Udhampur at 75.87%, Samba at 75.22%, and Reasi at 74.68%. Across Jammu and Kashmir, the turnout this election is tentatively pegged at 63.45%, up from 57.89% during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but slightly down from the 65.84% in the 2014 Assembly elections.

 

 

 

 

When examining individual Assembly constituencies, Inderwal recorded the highest turnout at 82.16%, followed closely by Padder-Nagseni at 80.67% and Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Katra at 80.45%. The lowest turnout was observed in the Srinagar constituencies of Habbakadal (19.81%) and Khanyar (26.09%), reflecting Srinagar’s traditionally lower voter participation.