Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 18: Long queues were seen at several booths across 16 constituencies in South Kashmir that voted today in the first phase of Assembly polls.
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Polling at these constituencies spread over four districts of Kashmir was brisk this morning as people arrived at the polling stations an hour before the scheduled start. However, in a couple of hours the queues became shorter as it is harvesting season in Kashmir.
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The voters said the people were getting a chance to elect their Assembly members after a long time and they were making the most of this opportunity.
The first phase of the Legislative Assembly elections in Kashmir covered 16 Assembly constituencies across four districts of South Kashmir during which over 14 lakh voters decided the fate of 155 candidates.
The districts that voted today included Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam in Kashmir. The Assembly seats that voted today are Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East and Pahalgam.
Prominent candidates in Kashmir whose fate was sealed today include CPI (M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, National Conference’s Sakina Itoo, and PDP’s Sartaj Madni and Abdul Rehman Veeri.
PDP’s Iltija Mufti, contesting from Srigufwara-Bijbehara, and the party’s youth leader Waheed Para, from Pulwama, are also the contenders to watch for in the first phase.
Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said that since Lok Sabha polls were held in April-May, the voting percentage from South Kashmir districts increased significantly. “I am sure that in the next two phases, the voting percentage will be much higher than today.”
Sharing the district-wise percentage, Pole said Anantnag district recorded 54.17 per cent voting, Kulgam 61.7, Pulwama 46.03 and Shopian 53.64.
He said Kulgam recorded the highest voter turnout. “Today’s voting percentage is higher than previous elections held in 2009, 2014 and 2024 (Lok Sabha polls) and 2008, 2014, 2024 (Assembly polls),” Pole said.
Pole said Shopian recorded 54.72 percent voting, Zainapora 52.64 percent, D.H.Pora 68 percent, Devsar 57.33 percent, Kulgam 62.70 percent, Anantnag 41.58 per cent, Anantang West 45.93 percent, Dooru 57.90 per cent, Kokernag 58 percent, Pahalgam 67.86 per cent, Shangus-Anantnag East 52.94 percent, Pampore 44.78 percent, Pulwama 50.42 per cent Rajpora 48.07 percent and Tral 43.21 percent.
The polling concluded without any incidents, as security forces ensured a free, fair and peaceful electoral process.
Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), were on high alert to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
Authorities expressed their satisfaction with how the polling was conducted, attributing the smooth proceedings to the vigilance and preparedness of the security forces. “Our personnel were on their toes throughout the day to ensure that voters could exercise their democratic rights without fear,” said a senior police official. “Their dedication has ensured a peaceful atmosphere, enabling a high voter turnout.”
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