Suhail Dar
In the much-anticipated elections in Jammu and Kashmir, voter turnout in Anantnag district, recorded at 9:00 AM, displayed moderate participation across its constituencies.
These elections are significant as they mark a return to the democratic process after a decade-long hiatus. Early figures reflect steady engagement among voters, though enthusiasm varies across different areas.
An election official told The Kashmiriyat that Dooru constituency, voter turnout stood at 10.42%, indicating a relatively strong start in this crucial region. Kokernag saw a slightly higher turnout, with 12% of registered voters casting their ballots by the early morning. Meanwhile, Anantnag West witnessed a turnout of 8.55%, which was lower compared to other constituencies. Anantnag town itself recorded 6%, reflecting a slower start in this central constituency.
Srigufwara-Bijbehara, an area known for its political significance, saw a turnout of 11.6%, reflecting good participation early on. Shangus recorded a voter turnout of 10.28%, slightly lower than other regions but still consistent with the district’s overall trend. The highest turnout in the district at 9:00 AM came from Pahalgam, where 12.56% of voters had cast their ballots, the official said.
Overall, the total voter turnout for Anantnag district at this early stage was 10.26%, indicating a moderate level of interest.
Speaking to The Kashmiriyat the official said that Shopian district has recorded a voter turnout of 11.5 percent.
“The voting percentage in zainapora at 9AM stood at 10% while 13% cast their votes in Shopian assembly constituency,” the official said.
Other areas in South Kashmir, such as Kulgam, saw a turnout of 10.98%, Pulwama recorded 10.50%, and Tral had a comparatively lower turnout of 7.33%. Rajpora registered 9.97%, and Pampore saw 8.81%.
In Banihal, voter participation reached 11%, while Ramban posted 13.08%. Bhaderwah recorded a turnout of 12.52%, and Kishtwar saw 15.02%. In the Padder-Nagseni region, the turnout was 12.62%, while Inderwal constituency recorded the highest turnout in this phase at 16.01%.
In Chenab valley, Doda and its western counterpart reported 12.80% and 13.56% respectively.
In Devsar, 10.25% of the electorate voted, and DH Pora recorded a turnout of 11.10%.
As the day progresses, there are expectations that the numbers will rise as more voters make their way to the polling stations, he added.
This election holds particular significance as it is being conducted after a gap of 10 years, following a period of political uncertainty and the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
Many see this election as a pivotal moment for the restoration of democratic processes in Jammu Kashmir, offering a platform for addressing local issues related to governance, development, and security concerns.
Despite challenges, there is a visible eagerness among some segments of the population to participate in shaping their political future.