Page 8 - Assembly Elections

Omar blames Centre for low voter turnout in 2nd phase of J-K Assembly polls

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the low voter turnout in Srinagar district during the second phase of voting for Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls was perhaps a people's reaction to the Centre trying to project normalcy in the union territory. His remarks came after the second phase of polling on Wednesday saw a voter turnout of over 56 per cent while the first phase held on September 18 saw an estimated 61.38 per cent voter turnout. "To be honest, I was expecting higher turnout because there was no boycott call, there were attacks, there were no threats or intimidation of the voters. I feel the Centre is also responsible for this. They tried to present the high voter turnout as signs of normalcy and as if the people had accepted the revocation of Article 370. Maybe this was a reaction from Srinagar because people of Srinagar do not want to send wrong signals," Abdullah told reporters in Uri border town of Baramulla district. The former chief minister, who i

Dismal performance of state Assemblies in holding sittings throughout year

In 2023, state assemblies met for 22 days on average, but managed to pass more than 500 Bills

Update J&K polls: Second phase of Assembly polls records turnout of 56.05%, says polling official

J&K Phase-2 elections live updates: Catch all the latest J&K election updates here

J&K Assembly polls: Second phase of polling witnesses over 56% turnout

The second phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections saw a voter turnout of over 56 per cent on Wednesday, with the democratic exercise passing off peacefully amid tight security. While there was significant participation in key constituencies in 26 seats spread over six districts with long queues of voters at polling stations since early morning, 20 of these segments recorded a marginally lower turnout than in the 2014 assembly elections, when the overall voting was 60 per cent. The first phase of polling, held on September 18, saw an estimated 61.38 per cent voter turnout, while the final phase is set to take place on October 1 in the crucial elections being held after 10 years. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole announced a preliminary turnout figure of 56.05 per cent, stating that it might change as polling continued in some areas, including Hazratbal and Reasi. He emphasised that the election proceeded smoothly, with only minor incidents ...

INDIA bloc will hit roads if J-K statehood not restored after polls: Rahul

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the INDIA bloc will use its full force within Parliament and even hit the roads if the BJP-led government fails to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir after the ongoing assembly elections. Addressing a public rally in support of party candidates here, the former Congress president said a grave injustice was done with the people of Jammu and Kashmir when the erstwhile state was divided into two union territories in 2019. This was his third visit to Jammu and Kashmir in the past nearly three weeks. He visited Banihal and Dooru constituencies on September 4 ahead of the first phase of assembly polls on September 18. His visit to Surankote and Central-Shalteng came on September 23, two days ahead of the second phase of polls September 25. Immediately after reaching Jammu on Wednesday, Gandhi held an interaction with professionals at a hotel before moving to the JK Resort Ground to address a public rally. Reiterati

J&K elections: 'History in making' as people vote, says CEC Rajiv Kumar

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday described the ongoing Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir as "history in the making", saying people are standing in long queues outside polling booths at places where calls were once given to boycott the democratic exercise. Taking to reporters here as the second phase of polling was underway on 26 seats in the Union Territory, Kumar said 100 per cent CCTV coverage is available for this phase and one could see youngsters, women and senior citizens patiently standing in queues, awaiting their turn to exercise their franchise. "It is a festival of democracy. Voting is taking place in areas where it did not take place earlier.... There were calls for disruption and boycott in the past.... It is a standing ovation for democracy," the CEC said in the presence of fellow election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. Kumar said history is in the making in Jammu and Kashmir and its impact will be felt for a long time

'Guided tour not good': Omar slams govt for inviting diplomats to see polls

National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah Wednesday lashed out at the Centre's move to invite foreign delegates to observe the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the polls were an internal matter of India. "I don't know why foreigners should be asked to check elections here. When foreign governments comment, then the government of India says 'this is an internal matter for India' and now suddenly they want foreign observers to come and look at our elections," Abdullah told reporters here. He said the assembly elections in J-K "are an internal matter for us", and "we do not need their certificate". "Also, this participation (of people in polls) is not because of the government of India, it is inspite of everything that the government of India did. They have humiliated people, they have used all the machinery of the government to detain and harass people. "Inspite of that, people are coming and participating in the elections. So, this is not something

Every vote for INDIA bloc will break 'chakravyuh of injustice': Rahul

As Jammu and Kashmir votes in the second phase of crucial assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday told the people that their every vote for the INDIA bloc will break the "chakravyuh of injustice" created by the BJP and bring J&K on the path of prosperity. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also urged the voters to think about the decade "lost in betrayal" and remember how their state was downgraded to a Union Territory. Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is on the cusp of change, Kharge appealed to the voters to use the power of democracy to ensure a positive change for securing their future. Kharge's remarks came as voting began for the second phase of the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir in which over 2.5 million voters are eligible to vote and decide the fate of 239 candidates, including former chief minister Omar Abdullah, in the fray for 26 seats. The voting began at 7 am across the 26 assembly constituencies amidst tight ...

When you press EVM button, think about decade lost: Kharge to J-K voters

As Jammu and Kashmir votes in the second phase of crucial assembly elections on Wednesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged the voters to think about the decade "lost in betrayal" and remember how their state was downgraded to a Union Territory. Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is on the cusp of change, he appealed to them to use the power of democracy to ensure a positive change for securing their future. Kharge's remarks came as voting began for the second phase of the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir in which over 2.5 million voters are eligible to vote and decide the fate of 239 candidates, including former chief minister Omar Abdullah, in the fray for 26 seats. The voting began at 7 am across the 26 assembly constituencies amidst tight security arrangements. In a post on X, Kharge said, "Today, as the second phase of voting gets underway for 26 seats, I exhort the people of Jammu and Kashmir to come out in large numbers to exercise their democratic ...

J-K, Haryana polls highlights: Why did youth of Haryana turn to 'Dunki', asks Rahul Gandhi

J-K, Haryana Assembly polls updates: Catch all the latest news developments related to the Assembly polls here

J-K polls: Tight security in Rajouri ahead of Phase 2 on Sept 25. Details

J&K Assembly elections: The first voting phase ended on September 18; the second and third phases are on September 25 and October 1, respectively, with vote counting on October 8

Will be your voice in parliament, restore statehood: Rahul Gandhi in J&K

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised to be the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament, reiterating the Congress party's commitment to put pressure on the BJP-ruled Centre to restore J-K's statehood. "Whenever you need me, you just have to give me an order and I will be present before you. I will raise your issues in Parliament. You know the special relationship I have with you. I do not have to even mention it," Gandhi told an election rally in the Zainakote area on the city's outskirts. "I will be your voice in parliament," he told the gathering. Gandhi said the biggest issue for the people of J-K is the restoration of the statehood. "We guarantee that it will be restored. If the BJP does not give it you (after elections), we will ensure that it is restored." The Congress leader said downgrading J-K into a Union Territory was an injustice done to the people of J-K. "Your democratic right has been snatched by downgrading the state i

JMM urges EC to complete Jharkhand poll process by first week of December

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday urged the EC to conclude the poll procedure for the assembly elections by the first week of December so that the current government could complete its full term. An EC team headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar came to Ranchi earlier in the day to review the preparedness for the assembly polls due this year. The team held its first meeting with different political parties. JMM representativesMLA Sudivya Kumar and central spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharyaplaced the party's points before the commission. The election for the fifth Jharkhand assembly was completed on December 23, 2019, and the government was formed on December 29. Therefore, if the election of the sixth state assembly is finished by the first week of December, the current state government will get the opportunity to complete its full term, the JMM informed the commission, according to a party statement. The party also urged the EC to bar leaders from

J-K polls: Engineer Rashid claims Omar, Sajad ganged up to defeat his party

Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid on Monday alleged that National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and People's Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone had ganged up in a bid to defeat his Awami Ittehad Party candidates. The maverick politician, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, defeated both Abdullah and Lone in the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla earlier this year. "Just a few days ago, Omar sahib was branding everyone, including Sajad Lone and Altaf Bukhari's Apni Party, as the BJP's B teams. I have irrefutable evidence that Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone have ganged up to defeat Engineer Rashid in north Kashmir and elsewhere. Can Omar Abdullah now tell us which is the BJP's B team?" Rashid told PTI. He also claimed the Farooq Abdullah-led party's silence over BJP leader Tarun Chugh's claims against National Conference leaders lent credence to his claim. "Tarun Chugh openly told Farooq Abdullah that if they revealed who all meet BJP leaders in secret, the political careers of many wou

Only 87 women elected to Haryana Assembly since 1966, no woman CM yet

It is still a man's world in the Haryana Assembly polls, with only 51 women candidates -- most of them either having the backing of a political family or celebrity status -- being fielded by frontline political parties. Since it was carved out from Punjab in 1966, the state, known for its skewed gender ratio, has sent only 87 women to the assembly. Haryana has never had a woman chief minister. An analysis of candidates' lists shows that the main opposition Congress has fielded 12 women candidates, the highest among the parties in these elections. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), contesting the elections in an alliance, have fielded 11 women candidates combined while the ruling BJP has named 10 women nominees. The alliance of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and the Azad Samaj Party (ASP) has named eight women candidates in the 85 seats it is contesting while AAP's list of 90 hopefuls has 10 women. According to Haryana Vidhan Sabha records, in the

Will try to build consensus on 'one nation, one election' in Parl: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the BJP-led government is going to table a bill on one nation, one election' in Parliament and will try to build a consensus as holding the Lok Sabha and assembly elections together across the country will help save three lakh crores. Addressing an election rally at Sainik Colony here, Singh said the plan behind one nation, one election' is to reduce expenses and rightful use of administrative resources among others. We are bringing the bill to hold the assembly and Lok Sabha elections together and efforts are on to bring all the parties on board. It has many benefits like rightful use of administrative machinery, financial and fiscal resources, one election calendar, proper use of human resources and increasing the voter turnout, he said. The defence minister said if both elections take place together in the country, an amount of Rs three lakh crore could be saved. Singh said the country is moving forward and becoming independent with

Assembly poll results will help realign political forces: Ex-law minister

Former Union law minister Ashwani Kumar on Saturday stressed the importance of the upcoming assembly polls, saying the results of these elections would pave the way for a realignment of political forces. He said that with the 'one nation, one election' factor now looming large on the horizon, the BJP would try to enlist the requisite support in Parliament for seeing through several constitutional amendments necessary in this regard. "For a variety of important political developments after the general elections, the upcoming state assembly elections have acquired a special significance," the former Congress leader said in a statement. The results of the upcoming assembly elections, although driven by the political dynamics of each state, will reflect the general political mood of the nation, he said. Elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, where the ruling dispensation is facing a tough challenge from the Congress-led INDIA bloc, are considered to be a barometer for the BJP's current

J&K poll: 'Our priority is to restore statehood,' says Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated on Saturday that the priority of Congress is to restore statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the State has never been changed to Union Territory before."The state has never been changed to Union Territory. We are asking, why have you not given statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, you have all the power, then why are they doing it?" congress president Kharge asked BJP, while addressing a press conference in Jammu."...We have declared seven guarantees. Our priority is to restore statehood to J & K. The second guarantee is to provide a health insurance scheme that will provide coverage of Rs 25 lakh to every family in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.Further describing Congress Party's promises for Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "A monthly benefit of Rs 3,000 will be given to women heads of families. An interest-free loan of Rs 5 lakh will also be given to women...OBCs to get their rights as enshrined in the Constitution... 1 lakh ..

J-K polls: Apni Party issues notice to leader for supporting Omar Abdullah

The Apni Party on Saturday ordered its chief spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin to show cause after he announced support for National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah in the Budgam assembly segment. Mohiuddin has been asked to clarify his remarks before the party leadership within 48 hours, "failing which disciplinary action will be taken". "The Apni Party issued a show cause notice to its chief spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin for his purported remarks supporting Omar Abdullah," it said in a statement. Mohiuddin has announced his support for Abdullah, who is contesting the assembly polls from Budgam. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister is also contesting from the Ganderbal seat. Mohiuddin on Friday said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been stripped of their rights and added that it was crucial to elect a leader who could fight for their interests. He had earlier withdrawn his nomination from the Budgam constituency. "After consulting with friends and well-wishers

61.38% polling in J&K phase 1 polls, men outnumber women in casting votes

The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir polls saw men outnumbering women in casting votes by over 4.79 percentage points, the Election Commission said on Friday while issuing revised figures with voter turnout rising to 61.38 per cent from 61.11 per cent earlier. The first phase of polling was held in 24 assembly constituencies spread across Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian in south Kashmir and Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts in the Chenab valley area of the Jammu region on September 18. According to Election Commission data, more male voters cast their votes in 18 seats while women voters outnumbered men in the rest of the six assembly segments. A total of 23,27,543 lakh people were eligible to vote in the first phase. Of them, 11,76,441 men, 11,51,042 women and 60 transgenders exercised their franchise. Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir are taking place for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union ...