Srinagar, Sept 18 :
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called upon the voters to turn out in record numbers as the first phase of voting for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir began on Wednesday.
In a post on X, the J-K LG urged the youth, women, and first-time voters to exercise their franchise.
“J&K Assembly elections commence today. I call upon all the voters whose assembly constituencies are voting in the first phase today to turn out in record numbers & exercise their democratic rights. I especially urge youth, women and first-time voters to vote in large numbers,” the office of the LG said in a post on X.
The first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir saw a cumulative voter turnout of 11.11 per cent as of 9 am, as per the Election Commission of India.
As per the ECI, Kishtwar recorded a voter turnout of 14.83 per cent followed by Doda 12.90 per cent, Ramban 11.91 per cent, Shopian 11.44 per cent, Kulgam 10.77 per cent, Anantnag recorded 10.26 per cent and Pulwama recorded 9.18 per cent.
Doda District Election Officer Harvinder Singh said that a very good polling exercise is going on in a free and fair manner.
“Voting has started in polling stations. We are getting to see a lot of enthusiasm from the people. I hope that this time we will be able to record the voter turnout well. Those who are sitting at home, they should come out of their houses and exercise their voting rights,” Singh said while speaking to ANI.
Kulgam District Administration Kulgam set up an election control room to monitor the election process in the district.
Kulgam Deputy Commissioner Athar Aamir said that elections are happening very smoothly everywhere and that there are long queues at several polling stations.
“Voting is happening at our 372, 372 polling stations. Mock poll was completed at 7 AM at 100 per cent polling stations. We have kept webcasting camera stations as well and we monitor them from the district level control room. We also monitor every polling station from here. We are expecting a very good voter turnout. All arrangements are in place. Over 1300 polling agents are present at different polling stations across J&K.”
Polling for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections began at 7 am today amid tight security arrangements. The voting will conclude at 6 pm.
In the first-phase, 24 assembly constituencies across the Union Territory are voting today; that includes 16 seats in the Kashmir region and 8 seats in the Jammu region. Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Vote counting will be held on October 8.
