Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls highlights: 59% turnout in first phase, voting peaceful, says CEO

Jammu and Kashmir Phase 1 election updates: Catch all the latest LIVE Assembly election updates here

A turnout of about 59 per cent -- the highest in the past seven elections -- was recorded in the first phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said, adding polling passed off peacefully. However, he said the figures are tentative and there might be a fractional increase after the final reports are received from the remote pockets and postal ballots. The first phase of polls covered 24 seats across seven districts. Briefing mediapersons here after polling ended at 6 pm, Pole said the elections ended peacefully without any untoward incident. There are reports of some minor incidents of scuffle or argument from a few polling stations but "no serious incident" occurred that could have forced a repoll, he said. "The polling per centage of 59 per cent is highest in the past seven elections -- four Lok Sabha polls and three assembly elections," he said, attributing the increase in the voter turnout to various factors including improved security situation, active participation of political parties and candidates and a campaign by the department. He said Kishtwar district recorder the highest 77 per cent turnout, while Pulwama district witnessed the lowest 46 per cent. Pole expressed hope that the remaining two phases on September 25 and October 1 will also see high polling per centage.

Amid the ongoing voting for the first phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir today, officials said that approximately 58.19 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5:00 pm. Voters were seen queuing up at polling stations amid heavy security measures across all 24 Assembly constituencies. The Assembly elections are the first to be held in 10 years in Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the people in Jammu and Kashmir to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. Voting began for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, first time since the abrogation of Article 370, as 24 constituencies spread over seven districts of the Union Territory went to polls in Phase 1 amid tight security arrangements.

Jammu and Kashmir Phase 1 voting begins today. Seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir are geared up to vote for the first time in a decade. Over 2.3 million voters will decide the fate of 219 candidates, including 90 independents, who are running for 24 assembly segments --? eight in three districts of Jammu region and 16 in four districts of Kashmir valley. This will be the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

The Kashmiri pandit community has raised urgent calls for action on long-standing issues such as unemployment and housing. Displaced in 1990, the Kashmiri Pandit community feels that the political parties in the union territory have repeatedly failed to address their concerns. As the elections draw near, the Kashmiri Pandit community remains hopeful that their voices will be heard, and their demands for rehabilitation and employment finally addressed.

The Congress on Monday released its manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, committing to strive to restore statehood if it formed its government in the Union Territory and promising a slew of welfare measures. The manifesto does not mention the repealed Article 370, but resolved that the party will ensure that the people of J&K get priority in recruitment in government jobs, tenders, land allotment and the region's resources.