The first phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir ended today. The first phase witnessed a voter turnout of 58.19 per cent. Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held for the first time in 10 years. The voting process was fairly smooth in the seven districts where polling was held on Wednesday. There were minor clashes between BJP and PDP leaders in Kishtwar, although polling remained mostly violence-free. Kishtwar district recorded the highest voter turnout of 77.23 per cent, while Pulwama recorded the lowest at 46.03 per cent.
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The other two phases will be held on September 25 and October 1, while the counting of votes will take place on October 8. The Election Commission of India wrote in an Xpost that we express our heartfelt gratitude to all our voters who participated in the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Your commitment is truly inspiring. Special thanks to the polling officers, security personnel, volunteers and all our teams, whose efforts ensured a smooth, free and fair election process.
Several leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, called upon voters to come out in large numbers to participate in this “festival of democracy”. In a post on X, Modi especially urged the youth and first-time voters to come out and vote. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also called for a massive turnout to elect a government that will fight separatism, while focusing on youth education, employment and women empowerment. “First vote, then refreshment,” he wrote on X.
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Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also called upon the people, especially the youth and women, to exercise their democratic rights. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, while addressing the voters, reminded them of the implications of the change in statehood and appealed to them to protect their rights. He stressed the importance of participation (in voting) for a future centered on peace, stability and development.
