Meer Irfan
In the Shopian district, voter turnout across various constituencies showed a steady increase throughout the polling hours.
26.5 per cent people have cast their ballots till 11 A.M, officials told The Kashmiriyat. “Voting percentage at Zainapora Assembly constituency (AC) at 11:00 AM is 25 per cent and the voting percentage, Shopian AC at 11:00 AM is 28 per cent,” the official said.
In Dooru (AC No. 41), the voter turnout at 9:00 AM was recorded at 10.42%, which further climbed to 26.97% by 11:00 AM. Moving on to Kokernag (ST) (AC No. 42), voters were more proactive, as the turnout stood at 12% at 9:00 AM, rising significantly to 29% by 11:00 AM.
The official said that in Anantnag West (AC No. 43), the initial turnout at 9:00 AM was relatively lower, at 8.55%, but it saw an increase to 21.26% by 11:00 AM. Despite the rise, the voter turnout here remained one of the more modest in the district, with 21.26% as the final percentage recorded at the close of polling.
The constituency of Anantnag Main (AC No. 44) had an even lowest voter turnout. Starting at just 6% at 9:00 AM, the number grew to 16.9% by 11:00 AM. This area experienced one of the lowest levels of voter engagement in the district, with the updated percentage remaining at 16.9%.
In contrast, Srigufwara-Bijbehara (AC No. 45) demonstrated a stronger voter presence. At 9:00 AM, the turnout was 11.6%, which rose steadily to 27.6% by 11:00 AM, maintaining that figure till the close of polls. This constituency showed a level of engagement similar to Dooru.
Similarly, Shangus-Anantnag East (AC No. 46) also saw good participation, with 10.28% turnout at 9:00 AM, increasing to 25.09% by 11:00 AM, which also remained constant as the final turnout percentage. This reflects a higher-than-average voter participation in the district.
Lastly, Pahalgam (AC No. 47) witnessed a voter turnout of 12.56% at 9:00 AM, which rose to 31.62% by 11:00 AM, the highest percentage recorded among all constituencies in Anantnag.
In Doda, voter turnout was relatively high, with 32.20% of the electorate participating in the polls. Kishtwar saw an even higher voter turnout, with 32.69% of eligible voters casting their ballots.
In Kulgam, the voter turnout was recorded at 25.95%. Pulwama, on the other hand, had the lowest turnout in this set, with only 20.37% of voters turning up.
Ramban showed a strong voter turnout of 31.25%, aligning with the higher participation rates seen in other districts like Doda and Kishtwar.
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.