J&K Assembly Polls: Voter Turnout Soars to 26.72% By 11 AM; Inderwal Leads with 40.36%, Anantnag At Bottom

More than 23.27 lakh voters - 11.76 lakh men and 11.51 lakh women in Jammu and Kashmir are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase across 24 Assembly constituencies today. Between 9 AM and 11 AM, the voter turnout spiked by 15.61 per cent, increasing from 11.11 per cent to 26.72 per cent.

Srinagar: The voter turnout for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections saw a significant increase by 11 AM today, reaching 26.72 per cent compared to 11.11 per cent at 9 AM.

In the Anantnag constituency, the turnout rose from 6 per cent to 16.90 per cent. Anantnag (West) saw a notable hike from 8.55 per cent to 21.26 per cent. Banihal experienced a significant jump from 11 per cent to per cent, while Bhaderwah's turnout climbed from 12.52 per cent to 30.38 per cent.

DH Pora improved from 11.10 per cent to 27.74 per cent, and Devsar saw a rise from 10.25 per cent to 24.32 per cent. Doda's voter turnout increased from 12.80 per cent to 31.96 per cent, and Doda (West) saw a remarkable jump from 13.56 per cent to 35.08 per cent.

Dooru's participation grew from 10.42 per cent to 26.97 per cent. Inderwal recorded the highest turnout, climbing from 16.01 per cent to 40.36 per cent. Kishtwar saw an increase from 15.02 per cent to 26.38 per cent, and Kokernag (ST) rose from 12 per cent to 29 per cent.

Kulgam improved from 10.98 per cent to 26 per cent, while Padder-Nagseni's turnout grew from 12.62 per cent to 32.15 per cent. Pahalgam experienced a rise from 12.56 per cent to 31.62 per cent.

Pampore's turnout increased from 8.81 per cent to 19.60 per cent, and Pulwama saw a rise from 10.50 per cent to 23.09 per cent. Rajpora's participation grew from 9.97 per cent to 21.17 per cent. Ramban's voter turnout climbed from 13.08 per cent to 32.85 per cent, and Shangus (Anantnag East) rose from 10.28 per cent to 25.09 per cent.

Shopian saw an increase from 13 per cent to 27 per cent, and Srigufwara-Bijbehara's turnout grew from 11.60 per cent to 27.60 per cent. Trial, despite a minimal rise from 7.33 per cent to 17.50 per cent, recorded the lowest turnout. Zainapora improved from 10 per cent to 25 per cent.

The first phase of this high-stakes election, which marks the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since its reorganisation into a Union Territory, saw varying levels of voter engagement across the 24 constituencies. The constituency of Anantnag reported the lowest turnout with just 16.90 per cent, while Inderwal led with the highest turnout of 40.36 per cent.

Polling commenced at 7 AM and will continue until 6 PM. The phase covers seven districts with 24 constituencies, involving around 23.27 lakh voters who will choose from 219 candidates, including 90 independents. Voters include a significant number of youth, with 5.66 lakh aged between 18 and 29, alongside 28,309 persons with disabilities and 15,774 voters over 85 years old.

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 - Phase 1

Time: 11 am

Overall polling percentage: 26.72 per cent

Anantnag - 16.90 per cent, Anantnag (West) - 21.26 per cent, Banihal - 30 per cent, Bhaderwah - 30.38 per cent, DH Pora - 27.74 per cent, Devsar - 24.32 per cent, Doda - 31.96 per cent, Doda (West) - 35.08 per cent, Dooru -26.97 per cent, Inderwal - 40.36 per cent, Kishtwar - 26.38 per cent, Kokernag (ST) - 29 per cent, Kulgam - 26 per cent, Padder-Nagseni -32.15 per cent, Pahalgam - 31.62 per cent, Pampore -19.60 per cent, Pulwama - 23.09 per cent, Rajpora - 21.17 per cent, Ramban - 32.85 per cent, Shangus - Anantnag (East) - 25.09 per cent, Shopian - 27 per cent, Srigufwara-Bijbehara -27.60 per cent, Tral -17.50 per cent and Zainapora -25 per cent.