Voting is taking place for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. In this, more than 39.18 lakh voters will vote on 40 assembly seats in 7 districts. This includes 24 assembly seats of Jammu and 16 assembly seats of Kashmir Valley. Let us tell you that according to the Election Commission, till 9 am, about 11.60 percent votes have been cast.
How much voting till 9 am?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Today is the third and last round of voting in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. I request all voters to come forward and cast their vote to make the celebration of democracy a success. I believe that for the first time Along with the young friends who are going to vote, women power will also take part in voting in large numbers.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on the social media platform, ‘Jammu and Kashmir needs a government which is visionary and can also take strong decisions for the security, peace and stability of the place. Today, the people voting here in the last phase should form a government with the power of their vote, which will keep Jammu and Kashmir away from terrorism, separatism, nepotism and corruption and is determined to protect the rights of every section. Cast historic vote for tourism, education, employment and all-round development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sham Lal Sharma, BJP candidate from Jammu North Assembly constituency, cast his vote at the polling booth at Purkhu Government School, Jammu. After this he said, “This is the biggest festival of democracy. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been waiting for the assembly elections for a long time. The long queues outside the polling stations are proof that people want change in Jammu and Kashmir. I am confident that people are going to break the voting record of last many years on 24 seats of Jammu province. I request the voters to elect the best candidates.”
People stand in queue outside a polling booth in Jammu today to vote in the third and final phase of assembly elections. Eligible voters will exercise their franchise today in 40 constituencies in 7 districts of the Union Territory.
#WATCH J&K: People queue up outside a polling station in Jammu to vote in the 3rd & final phase of the Assembly elections today.
Eligible voters in 40 constituencies across 7 districts of the UT are exercising their franchise today. pic.twitter.com/V7JUwFUuF7
— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2024
State BJP President and Nowshera Assembly seat candidate Ravinder Raina said, “A large number of people are voting in the last phase of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of Jammu and Kashmir participated wholeheartedly in this festival of democracy. These elections have been conducted very well.”
Democratic Progressive Azad Party President Ghulam Nabi Azad casts his vote at a polling booth in Jammu for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. After this he showed his inked finger. After casting his vote, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “I would request everyone that everyone should cast their vote. Elections are being held after 10 years, so those who used to say that elections were not held, should now come to the field and vote. “Vote should be exercised by all”.
#WATCH Jammu: Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad shows his inked finger after casting his vote at a polling station in Jammu for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections. pic.twitter.com/cvrFuLWVlD
— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2024
The reputation of veterans at stake
415 candidates are trying their luck in the last phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Among them, prominent leaders like People’s Conference President and former minister Sajjad Lone and National Panthers Party India President Dev Singh are also in the electoral fray. Sajjad Lone is contesting from two seats in Kupwara, while Dev Singh is contesting from Chenani seat in Udhampur.
Former minister Raman Bhalla from RS Pura, Usman Majeed from Bandipora, Nazir Ahmed Khan from Gurez, Taj Mohiuddin from Uri, Basharat Bukhari from Wagoora-Kreeri, Imran Ansari from Pattan, Ghulam Hasan Mir from Gulmarg, Chaudhary Lal Singh from Basohli, Jasrota. Rajeev Jasrotia, Manohar Lal Sharma from Bilwar, Sham Lal Sharma and Ajay Kumar Sadhotra from Jammu North, Mula Ram from Madh, Chandra Prakash Ganga and Manjeet Singh from Vijapur are other candidates in the fray.
Let us tell you that earlier on September 18, 61.38 percent voting took place in the first phase, while on October 26, 57.31 percent voting took place in the second phase. Let us tell you that this is the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019. Its results will be declared on October 8.