Jammu And Kashmir Assembly Election 2024 Live Updates | Voter Turnout Crosses 65% Mark By 6 PM

The third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 witnessed a significant surge in voter turnout. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the turnout jumped from a modest 11.60% at 9 AM to an impressive 65.65% by 6 PM, reflecting a surge of 54.05%.

Among the constituencies, Jammu division's Chhamb emerged as the leader in voter turnout, recording a remarkable 77.35%. Starting at just 13.61% in the morning, Chhamb saw a surge of 63.74 percentage points, maintaining its lead throughout the day. Kashmir division's Sopore recorded the lowest turnout in this phase, with 41.44% of eligible voters casting their ballots. Although it had a slow start with just 6.71% turnout at 9 AM, Sopore saw a rise of 34.73 percentage points by the day's end.

In Akhnoor (SC), the day started with a 14.42% turnout and ended with 76.28%, marking a rise of 61.86 percentage points. Bahu also saw a significant increase, moving from 10.30% at 9 AM to 57.07% by 6 PM, an improvement of 46.77 percentage points. In Bandipora, the polling grew from 10.45% to 62.00%, an increase of 51.55 percentage points.

The voter turnout in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections 2024 till 5 PM on Tuesday was recorded as 65.48 per cent.

Here is the constituency-wise voter turnout till 5 PM: 01. Akhnoor (SC): 76.28 %, 02. Bahu: 57.07 %, 03.Bandipora: 58.60 %, 04.Bani:71.24 %, 05.Baramulla:47.95 %, 06.Basohli:67.24 %, 07.Billawar: 69.64 %, 08.Bishnah (SC):72.75%, 09.Chenani:73.75%, 10.Chhamb:77.35%, 11.Gulmarg:64.19%, 12.Gurez (ST):75.89%, 13.Handwara:69.06%, 14.Hiranagar:71.18%, 15.Jammu east:60.21%, 16.Jammu north:60.79%, 17.Jammu west:56.31%, 18.Jasrota:71.79%, 19.Karnah:66.30%, 20.Kathua (SC):71.49%, 21.Kupwara:59.68%, 22.Langate:59.81%, 23.Lolab:61.22%, 24.Marh (SC):76.10%, 25.Nagrota:72.94%, 26.Pattan:60.87%, 27.RS Pura - Jammu south:61.65%, 28.Rafiabad:58.39%, 29.Ramgarh (SC):73.10%, 30.Ramnagar (SC):70.38%, 31.Samba:71.16%, 32.Sonawari:65.56%, 33.Sopore:41.44%, 34.Suchetgarh (SC):68.02%, 35.Trehgam:62.27%, 36.Udhampur east:74.07%, 37.Udhampur west:73.20%, 38.Uri:64.81%, 39.Vijaypur:73.05%, 40.Wagoora-Kreeri:56.43%

As voting advanced towards the last leg in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024, the Election Commission of India urged voters, who are yet to cast vote, to rush to the polling booths to make their votes count.

The clock is ticking! You’ve 2 hours to make your vote count. Head to the polls now," the ECI said in a post on its official X handle.

The voter turnout in the third phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections surged to a little over 56 percent at 56.01 percent at 3 PM.

Here is the constituency-wise voting percentage till 3 PM as per the ECI:

01.Akhnoor (SC): 66.27 %

02.Bahu: 47.70 %

03.Bandipora: 48.75 %

04.Bani:64.64 %

05.Baramulla:38.39 %

06.Basohli:60.50 %

07.Billawar: 62.74 %

08.Bishnah (SC):62.05%

09.Chenani:65.29%

10.Chhamb:68.31%

11.Gulmarg:52.35%

12.Gurez (ST):66.17%

13.Handwara:59.11%

14.Hiranagar:62.51%

15.Jammu east:49.88%

16.Jammu north:50.71%

17.Jammu west:47.18%

18.Jasrota:63.61%

19.Karnah:56.52%

20.Kathua (SC):61.21%

21.Kupwara:48.71%

22.Langate:50.96%

23.Lolab:51.76%

24.Marh (SC):64.48%

25.Nagrota:62.60%

26.Pattan:49.71%

27.RS Pura - Jammu south:51.51%

28.Rafiabad:50.12%

29.Ramgarh (SC):63.90%

30.Ramnagar (SC):63.67%

31.Samba:62.45%

32.Sonawari:54.84%

33.Sopore:34.21%

34.Suchetgarh (SC):57.98%

35.Trehgam:52.33%

36.Udhampur east:65.13%

37.Udhampur west:63.65%

38.Uri:54.04%

39.Vijaypur:63.40%

40.Wagoora-Kreeri:47.23%

As voting goes on in the third and final phase, People's Conference Chairman Sajad Lone said that restoration of Article 370 was "people's voice".

"We too are in the favour of restoration. That is the voice of the local public and us...," Lone said over a question on Article 370 and Article 35A.

"We do not go into the number game. But I think it will be good...We are equidistant from all parties, we faced issues in alliances last time as well. So, we are on our own. We want to contest alone," he added.

As voting goes on in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024, District Election Officer Kupwara Ayushi Sudan said that there was a “good response” from voters to the ongoing polling.

"There are 6 Assembly constituencies in Kupwara and 622 polling booths. All polling and administration are working diligently. People's response is also good. People are standing in long queues to cast their votes, this is a good picture of democracy... Necessary facilities are available at polling stations in remote, border areas, " Sudan said.

Separatist-turned-mainstream Jammu and Kashmir politician and People's Conference Chairman Sajad Lone that parties are contesting "perhaps for one of the weakest assemblies in India" he said was a "comedown".

“Let’s see. Let’s hope for the best. The last time we went to the polls, we were contesting for one of the most empowered assemblies. Today, we have contested perhaps for one of the weakest assemblies in India. That’s a comedown,” Lone said.

The voter turnout in the third and last phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024 has surged to 44.08 percent by 1 PM, the ECI said in its latest update.

Here is the constituency-wise voter turnout till 1 PM:

01.Akhnoor (SC): 51.66 %

02.Bahu: 36.78 %

03.Bandipora: 40.13 %

04.Bani:52.96 %

05.Baramulla:31.18 %

06.Basohli:48.70 %

07.Billawar: 51.54 %

08.Bishnah (SC):47.49%

09.Chenani:52.24%

10.Chhamb:53.21%

11.Gulmarg:40.99%

12.Gurez (ST):52.45%

13.Handwara:47.10%

14.Hiranagar:48.97%

15.Jammu east:36.88%

16.Jammu north:37.93%

17.Jammu west:35.54%

18.Jasrota:50.96%

19.Karnah:45.35%

20.Kathua (SC):48.41%

21.Kupwara:37.52%

22.Langate:41.11%

23.Lolab:41.27%

24.Marh (SC):50.03%

25.Nagrota:49.07%

26.Pattan:38.64%

27.RS Pura - Jammu south:39.05%

28.Rafiabad:40.69%

29.Ramgarh (SC):50.40%

30.Ramnagar (SC):52.54%

31.Samba:49.41%

32.Sonawari:43.30%

33.Sopore:27.76%

34.Suchetgarh (SC):43.26%

35.Trehgam:41.28%

36.Udhampur east:51.64%

37.Udhampur west:50.38%

38.Uri:41.49%

39.Vijaypur:49.35%

40.Wagoora-Kreeri:38.00%

Voting is going on in Bandipora district of North Kashmir. Voters said they are voting for improved basic facilities.

"Better late than never. It is a welcome step that the elections are taking place after 10 years. Although we are seeing better roads being built lately, but education sector is the worst affected. Our elected representatives should prioritize education for the better future of our next generation," a voter said.

In the ongoing voting for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024, National Conference candidate from Sopore, Irshad Rasool Kar along with his family members cast his vote at a polling station.

After casting his vote, Kar said that people "believe in the democratic process and want solutions to their issues through voting".

"My agendas are - development and to fight for our rights. I urge people to vote to strengthen the democratic setup and National Conference," he said.

In a historic moment in the much delayed Jammu and Kashmir assembly election 2024, residents of Jerda village in Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, located near the International border with Pakistan, are casting their votes at a polling booth in their village on Tuesday which marks the third and last phase of the polls.

According to local villagers, they previously lacked this facility due to security concerns. They are hopeful that the presence of a polling booth in their village will lead to higher voter turnout than in previous elections.

As Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024 is being held sans Article 370, West Pakistani refugees voted for the first time.

In Samba district, the WPRs cast vote at a polling booth set up in Government Girls Middle School, Arazi on Tuesday.

The West Pakistan Refugees, who had settled in Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri during the 1947 partition, were so far deprived of voting rights in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. They were granted the voting rights after the abrogation of Article 370 in August, 2019.

The voter turnout till 11 AM in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir was recorded as 28.12 percent, the ECI said in its latest update.

Here is the constituency-wise voter turnout till 11 AM:

01.Akhnoor (SC): 32.55 %

02.Bahu: 23.29 %

03.Bandipora: 26.14 %

04.Bani:34.92 %

05.Baramulla:19.57 %

06.Basohli:30.44 %

07.Billawar: 34.04 %

08.Bishnah (SC):30.23%

09.Chenani:34.67%

10.Chhamb:33.54%

11.Gulmarg:25.59%

12.Gurez (ST):33.38%

13.Handwara:29.99%

14.Hiranagar:31.35%

15.Jammu east:21.56%

16.Jammu north:23.85%

17.Jammu west:21.90%

18.Jasrota:32.70%

19.Karnah:29.02%

20.Kathua (SC):28.63%

21.Kupwara:24.41%

22.Langate:27.33%

23.Lolab:26.80%

24.Marh (SC):32.22%

25.Nagrota:31.26%

26.Pattan:24.81%

27.RS Pura - Jammu south:24.14%

28.Rafiabad:26.40%

29.Ramgarh (SC):32.06%

30.Ramnagar (SC):34.30%

31.Samba:31.29%

32.Sonawari:28.89%

33.Sopore:17.28%

34.Suchetgarh (SC):26.73%

35.Trehgam:26.98%

36.Udhampur east:34.50%

37.Udhampur west:32.09%

38.Uri:25.95%

39.Vijaypur:31.13%

40.Wagoora-Kreeri:24.50%

As voting is underway in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024, Independent candidate from Baramulla seat, which is also going to polls said that he does not blame anyone for the delay in the state polls.

“No Assembly election was conducted for 10 years. We don’t blame anyone for this. Maybe the situation was like that. Youth now have hope with this election," Baig said.

"Around 26 candidates are contesting from one Assembly seat- Baramulla. There is no information on who is giving them funds and who is backing them. This creates confusion,” he added.

Amid the ongoing voting in the third and final phase of voting for Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2024, Abrar Rashid, son of Baramulla MP and AIP President, Engineer Rashid cast his vote in Langate assembly constituency.

"This election is very significant because after 10 years, we have the right to choose our government and representatives. I have also cast my vote," said Abrar Rashid.

As voting goes on for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections 2024, BJP candidate from Nagrota Assembly seat, Devender Singh Rana cast his vote at a polling booth in Jammu.

Rana, who was the provincial President of the National Conference, quit the party and joined the BJP along with Surjit Singh Salathia in October 2021.

A voter turnout of 11.60 percent was witnessed till 9 AM on Tuesday in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024.

Here is the constituency-wise turnout till 9 AM as per the Election Commission of India:

01.Akhnoor (SC): 14.42 %

02.Bahu: 10.30 %

03.Bandipora: 10.45 %

04.Bani:14.38 %

05.Baramulla:07.38 %

06.Basohli:11.67 %

07.Billawar: 13.90 %

08.Bishnah (SC):12.38%

09.Chenani:14.99%

10.Chhamb:13.61%

11.Gulmarg:10.60%

12.Gurez (ST):13.18%

13.Handwara:13.46%

14.Hiranagar:13.49%

15.Jammu east:08.26%

16.Jammu north:09.69%

17.Jammu west:09.08%

18.Jasrota:13.90%

19.Karnah:11.00%

20.Kathua (SC):11.65%

21.Kupwara:10.00%

22.Langate:11.06%

23.Lolab:10.77%

24.Marh (SC):13.94%

25.Nagrota:12.88%

26.Pattan:8.66%

27.RS Pura - Jammu south:11.92%

28.Rafiabad:11.49%

29.Ramgarh (SC):14.22%

30.Ramnagar (SC):15.27%

31.Samba:12.41%

32.Sonawari:12.49%

33.Sopore:06.71%

34.Suchetgarh (SC):10.45%

35.Trehgam:11.12%

36.Udhampur east:13.96%

37.Udhampur west:12.89%

38.Uri:08.57%

39.Vijaypur:13.32%

40.Wagoora-Kreeri:09.50%

As voting for the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections commences, I urge the people in these 40 Assembly seats to exercise their Democratic rights in large numbers. This is the final chance to teach a lesson to those who snatched statehood from the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Remember, that a single vote can change your destiny and usher in a brighter future, which secures your Constitutional rights. A single vote is valuable enough to ensure better employment opportunities for the young, take on the corrupt, safeguard your land rights and ensure progress and prosperity. We welcome the first time voters, for the future course for Jammu and Kashmir shall be decided by their participation. Once again, I request you to join the voting queue. Jai Hind

As Jammu and Kashmir votes for the first time sans Article 370, which gave a special status to the erstwhile state, senior BJP leader and union minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Article 370 was misused by family-based parties in the region for their own political gains.

"This is the true mainstreaming of democracy in J&K as voters are coming out to vote in large numbers. This time, almost after around 50 years, like the other states, an assembly election is being conducted for 5 years, earlier the term used to be 6 years... Article 370 used to be misused by family-based parties... Grass-root democracy was restored in last 10 years," Singh said while speaking to the media in Jammu.

Amid the ongoing voting in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections 2024, members of the Valmiki community in Jammu who were deprived from voting in the elections owing to Article 370, exercised their franchise for the first time in Jammu.

"I am very happy... I am 50 but I am casting vote for the first time. Things are changing now," a Valmiki voter said.

"It feels like a caged bird has been set free. Our community had no voting rights for the last 70 years. Valmiki community was kept away from voting process," another voter said.

The Valmiki community, which was displaced from 1957 from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir, could not vote in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state due to Article 370, which was abrogated by the BJP government at the Centre on August 5, 2019.

As voting got underway for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2024, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) President Sheikh Abdul Rashid aka Engineer Rashid's parents cast their votes at Mawer polling station in Langate assembly constituency. Rashid has fielded his brother Sheikh Khursheed.

The seat is witnessing a multi-cornered contest among AIP's Khursheed, People's Conference candidate Irfan Ganaie, and NC-Congress alliance candidate Irshad Ganaie.

As voting got underway for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024, Kashmiri migrant Pandits displaced from their homeland in Kashmir after eruption of armed militancy in the 1990s, are casting their vote at a specially set up polling station in Jammu.

The Assistant Returning Officer Jammu has made special transporation arrangements to ferry the Kashmiri migrants to ferry them to the polling stations.

As the third and final phase of voting for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024 got underway, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa cast his vote at a polling station here and took selfie at the selfie point set up by the district administration to flaunt his inked finger.

The DC Baramulla was seen disembarking from his official car and stepping inside a polling station to exercise his franchise.

BJP candidate from Jammu North constituency Sham Lal Sharma cast his vote at a polling booth in Purkhoo Government School, Jammu. BJP candidate from Jammu North constituency Sham Lal Sharma says "This is the biggest festival of democracy. People in J&K have been waiting for Assembly elections for a long time. The long queues outside polling stations are proof that people want change in J&K. I am confident that the people in 24 seats in the Jammu province are going to break the voting records of the last several years...I request the voters to chose the best candidates..."

Congress candidate from Jammu East Yogesh Sawhney says, "Secularism will win and people will take revenge through their votes for the atrocities committed by the BJP in the last 10 years. Congress did not say that we will bring Article 370, but our demand will be that the youth of Jammu should get their jobs and their land should also be safe. Statehood should be restored. My appeal to the people is that we are fighting for the truth and I request people to go and vote and not sit at home..."

As Jammu and Kashmir proceeds with the final phase of its Assembly elections on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised that the Union Territory requires a government capable of making decisive actions for the security, peace, and stability of the region. "Jammu and Kashmir needs a visionary government that can also make strong decisions for the security, peace, and stability of the region," Shah stated in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged voters to come forward and exercise their franchise in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections to make the festival of democracy a success. The polling covers 40 seats across seven districts, including the winter capital Jammu.

People queue up outside a polling station in Jammu to vote in the third and final phase of the Assembly elections today. Eligible voters in 40 constituencies across 7 districts of the UT are exercising their franchise today.

The third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 witnessed a significant surge in voter turnout. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the turnout jumped from a modest 11.60% at 9 AM to an impressive 65.65% by 6 PM, reflecting a surge of 54.05%.

Among the constituencies, Jammu division's Chhamb emerged as the leader in voter turnout, recording a remarkable 77.35%. Starting at just 13.61% in the morning, Chhamb saw a surge of 63.74 percentage points, maintaining its lead throughout the day. Kashmir division's Sopore recorded the lowest turnout in this phase, with 41.44% of eligible voters casting their ballots. Although it had a slow start with just 6.71% turnout at 9 AM, Sopore saw a rise of 34.73 percentage points by the day's end.

In Akhnoor (SC), the day started with a 14.42% turnout and ended with 76.28%, marking a rise of 61.86 percentage points. Bahu also saw a significant increase, moving from 10.30% at 9 AM to 57.07% by 6 PM, an improvement of 46.77 percentage points. In Bandipora, the polling grew from 10.45% to 62.00%, an increase of 51.55 percentage points.

The voter turnout in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections 2024 till 5 PM on Tuesday was recorded as 65.48 per cent.

Here is the constituency-wise voter turnout till 5 PM: 01. Akhnoor (SC): 76.28 %, 02. Bahu: 57.07 %, 03.Bandipora: 58.60 %, 04.Bani:71.24 %, 05.Baramulla:47.95 %, 06.Basohli:67.24 %, 07.Billawar: 69.64 %, 08.Bishnah (SC):72.75%, 09.Chenani:73.75%, 10.Chhamb:77.35%, 11.Gulmarg:64.19%, 12.Gurez (ST):75.89%, 13.Handwara:69.06%, 14.Hiranagar:71.18%, 15.Jammu east:60.21%, 16.Jammu north:60.79%, 17.Jammu west:56.31%, 18.Jasrota:71.79%, 19.Karnah:66.30%, 20.Kathua (SC):71.49%, 21.Kupwara:59.68%, 22.Langate:59.81%, 23.Lolab:61.22%, 24.Marh (SC):76.10%, 25.Nagrota:72.94%, 26.Pattan:60.87%, 27.RS Pura - Jammu south:61.65%, 28.Rafiabad:58.39%, 29.Ramgarh (SC):73.10%, 30.Ramnagar (SC):70.38%, 31.Samba:71.16%, 32.Sonawari:65.56%, 33.Sopore:41.44%, 34.Suchetgarh (SC):68.02%, 35.Trehgam:62.27%, 36.Udhampur east:74.07%, 37.Udhampur west:73.20%, 38.Uri:64.81%, 39.Vijaypur:73.05%, 40.Wagoora-Kreeri:56.43%

As voting advanced towards the last leg in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024, the Election Commission of India urged voters, who are yet to cast vote, to rush to the polling booths to make their votes count.

The clock is ticking! You’ve 2 hours to make your vote count. Head to the polls now," the ECI said in a post on its official X handle.

The voter turnout in the third phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections surged to a little over 56 percent at 56.01 percent at 3 PM.

Here is the constituency-wise voting percentage till 3 PM as per the ECI:

01.Akhnoor (SC): 66.27 %

02.Bahu: 47.70 %

03.Bandipora: 48.75 %

04.Bani:64.64 %

05.Baramulla:38.39 %

06.Basohli:60.50 %

07.Billawar: 62.74 %

08.Bishnah (SC):62.05%

09.Chenani:65.29%

10.Chhamb:68.31%

11.Gulmarg:52.35%

12.Gurez (ST):66.17%

13.Handwara:59.11%

14.Hiranagar:62.51%

15.Jammu east:49.88%

16.Jammu north:50.71%

17.Jammu west:47.18%

18.Jasrota:63.61%

19.Karnah:56.52%

20.Kathua (SC):61.21%

21.Kupwara:48.71%

22.Langate:50.96%

23.Lolab:51.76%

24.Marh (SC):64.48%

25.Nagrota:62.60%

26.Pattan:49.71%

27.RS Pura - Jammu south:51.51%

28.Rafiabad:50.12%

29.Ramgarh (SC):63.90%

30.Ramnagar (SC):63.67%

31.Samba:62.45%

32.Sonawari:54.84%

33.Sopore:34.21%

34.Suchetgarh (SC):57.98%

35.Trehgam:52.33%

36.Udhampur east:65.13%

37.Udhampur west:63.65%

38.Uri:54.04%

39.Vijaypur:63.40%

40.Wagoora-Kreeri:47.23%

As voting goes on in the third and final phase, People's Conference Chairman Sajad Lone said that restoration of Article 370 was "people's voice".

"We too are in the favour of restoration. That is the voice of the local public and us...," Lone said over a question on Article 370 and Article 35A.

"We do not go into the number game. But I think it will be good...We are equidistant from all parties, we faced issues in alliances last time as well. So, we are on our own. We want to contest alone," he added.

As voting goes on in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024, District Election Officer Kupwara Ayushi Sudan said that there was a “good response” from voters to the ongoing polling.

"There are 6 Assembly constituencies in Kupwara and 622 polling booths. All polling and administration are working diligently. People's response is also good. People are standing in long queues to cast their votes, this is a good picture of democracy... Necessary facilities are available at polling stations in remote, border areas, " Sudan said.

Separatist-turned-mainstream Jammu and Kashmir politician and People's Conference Chairman Sajad Lone that parties are contesting "perhaps for one of the weakest assemblies in India" he said was a "comedown".

“Let’s see. Let’s hope for the best. The last time we went to the polls, we were contesting for one of the most empowered assemblies. Today, we have contested perhaps for one of the weakest assemblies in India. That’s a comedown,” Lone said.

The voter turnout in the third and last phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024 has surged to 44.08 percent by 1 PM, the ECI said in its latest update.

Here is the constituency-wise voter turnout till 1 PM:

01.Akhnoor (SC): 51.66 %

02.Bahu: 36.78 %

03.Bandipora: 40.13 %

04.Bani:52.96 %

05.Baramulla:31.18 %

06.Basohli:48.70 %

07.Billawar: 51.54 %

08.Bishnah (SC):47.49%

09.Chenani:52.24%

10.Chhamb:53.21%

11.Gulmarg:40.99%

12.Gurez (ST):52.45%

13.Handwara:47.10%

14.Hiranagar:48.97%

15.Jammu east:36.88%

16.Jammu north:37.93%

17.Jammu west:35.54%

18.Jasrota:50.96%

19.Karnah:45.35%

20.Kathua (SC):48.41%

21.Kupwara:37.52%

22.Langate:41.11%

23.Lolab:41.27%

24.Marh (SC):50.03%

25.Nagrota:49.07%

26.Pattan:38.64%

27.RS Pura - Jammu south:39.05%

28.Rafiabad:40.69%

29.Ramgarh (SC):50.40%

30.Ramnagar (SC):52.54%

31.Samba:49.41%

32.Sonawari:43.30%

33.Sopore:27.76%

34.Suchetgarh (SC):43.26%

35.Trehgam:41.28%

36.Udhampur east:51.64%

37.Udhampur west:50.38%

38.Uri:41.49%

39.Vijaypur:49.35%

40.Wagoora-Kreeri:38.00%

Voting is going on in Bandipora district of North Kashmir. Voters said they are voting for improved basic facilities.

"Better late than never. It is a welcome step that the elections are taking place after 10 years. Although we are seeing better roads being built lately, but education sector is the worst affected. Our elected representatives should prioritize education for the better future of our next generation," a voter said.

In the ongoing voting for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024, National Conference candidate from Sopore, Irshad Rasool Kar along with his family members cast his vote at a polling station.

After casting his vote, Kar said that people "believe in the democratic process and want solutions to their issues through voting".

"My agendas are - development and to fight for our rights. I urge people to vote to strengthen the democratic setup and National Conference," he said.

In a historic moment in the much delayed Jammu and Kashmir assembly election 2024, residents of Jerda village in Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, located near the International border with Pakistan, are casting their votes at a polling booth in their village on Tuesday which marks the third and last phase of the polls.

According to local villagers, they previously lacked this facility due to security concerns. They are hopeful that the presence of a polling booth in their village will lead to higher voter turnout than in previous elections.

As Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024 is being held sans Article 370, West Pakistani refugees voted for the first time.

In Samba district, the WPRs cast vote at a polling booth set up in Government Girls Middle School, Arazi on Tuesday.

The West Pakistan Refugees, who had settled in Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri during the 1947 partition, were so far deprived of voting rights in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. They were granted the voting rights after the abrogation of Article 370 in August, 2019.

The voter turnout till 11 AM in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir was recorded as 28.12 percent, the ECI said in its latest update.

Here is the constituency-wise voter turnout till 11 AM:

01.Akhnoor (SC): 32.55 %

02.Bahu: 23.29 %

03.Bandipora: 26.14 %

04.Bani:34.92 %

05.Baramulla:19.57 %

06.Basohli:30.44 %

07.Billawar: 34.04 %

08.Bishnah (SC):30.23%

09.Chenani:34.67%

10.Chhamb:33.54%

11.Gulmarg:25.59%

12.Gurez (ST):33.38%

13.Handwara:29.99%

14.Hiranagar:31.35%

15.Jammu east:21.56%

16.Jammu north:23.85%

17.Jammu west:21.90%

18.Jasrota:32.70%

19.Karnah:29.02%

20.Kathua (SC):28.63%

21.Kupwara:24.41%

22.Langate:27.33%

23.Lolab:26.80%

24.Marh (SC):32.22%

25.Nagrota:31.26%

26.Pattan:24.81%

27.RS Pura - Jammu south:24.14%

28.Rafiabad:26.40%

29.Ramgarh (SC):32.06%

30.Ramnagar (SC):34.30%

31.Samba:31.29%

32.Sonawari:28.89%

33.Sopore:17.28%

34.Suchetgarh (SC):26.73%

35.Trehgam:26.98%

36.Udhampur east:34.50%

37.Udhampur west:32.09%

38.Uri:25.95%

39.Vijaypur:31.13%

40.Wagoora-Kreeri:24.50%

As voting is underway in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024, Independent candidate from Baramulla seat, which is also going to polls said that he does not blame anyone for the delay in the state polls.

“No Assembly election was conducted for 10 years. We don’t blame anyone for this. Maybe the situation was like that. Youth now have hope with this election," Baig said.

"Around 26 candidates are contesting from one Assembly seat- Baramulla. There is no information on who is giving them funds and who is backing them. This creates confusion,” he added.

Amid the ongoing voting in the third and final phase of voting for Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2024, Abrar Rashid, son of Baramulla MP and AIP President, Engineer Rashid cast his vote in Langate assembly constituency.

"This election is very significant because after 10 years, we have the right to choose our government and representatives. I have also cast my vote," said Abrar Rashid.

As voting goes on for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections 2024, BJP candidate from Nagrota Assembly seat, Devender Singh Rana cast his vote at a polling booth in Jammu.

Rana, who was the provincial President of the National Conference, quit the party and joined the BJP along with Surjit Singh Salathia in October 2021.

A voter turnout of 11.60 percent was witnessed till 9 AM on Tuesday in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024.

Here is the constituency-wise turnout till 9 AM as per the Election Commission of India:

01.Akhnoor (SC): 14.42 %

02.Bahu: 10.30 %

03.Bandipora: 10.45 %

04.Bani:14.38 %

05.Baramulla:07.38 %

06.Basohli:11.67 %

07.Billawar: 13.90 %

08.Bishnah (SC):12.38%

09.Chenani:14.99%

10.Chhamb:13.61%

11.Gulmarg:10.60%

12.Gurez (ST):13.18%

13.Handwara:13.46%

14.Hiranagar:13.49%

15.Jammu east:08.26%

16.Jammu north:09.69%

17.Jammu west:09.08%

18.Jasrota:13.90%

19.Karnah:11.00%

20.Kathua (SC):11.65%

21.Kupwara:10.00%

22.Langate:11.06%

23.Lolab:10.77%

24.Marh (SC):13.94%

25.Nagrota:12.88%

26.Pattan:8.66%

27.RS Pura - Jammu south:11.92%

28.Rafiabad:11.49%

29.Ramgarh (SC):14.22%

30.Ramnagar (SC):15.27%

31.Samba:12.41%

32.Sonawari:12.49%

33.Sopore:06.71%

34.Suchetgarh (SC):10.45%

35.Trehgam:11.12%

36.Udhampur east:13.96%

37.Udhampur west:12.89%

38.Uri:08.57%

39.Vijaypur:13.32%

40.Wagoora-Kreeri:09.50%

As voting for the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections commences, I urge the people in these 40 Assembly seats to exercise their Democratic rights in large numbers. This is the final chance to teach a lesson to those who snatched statehood from the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Remember, that a single vote can change your destiny and usher in a brighter future, which secures your Constitutional rights. A single vote is valuable enough to ensure better employment opportunities for the young, take on the corrupt, safeguard your land rights and ensure progress and prosperity. We welcome the first time voters, for the future course for Jammu and Kashmir shall be decided by their participation. Once again, I request you to join the voting queue. Jai Hind

As Jammu and Kashmir votes for the first time sans Article 370, which gave a special status to the erstwhile state, senior BJP leader and union minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Article 370 was misused by family-based parties in the region for their own political gains.

"This is the true mainstreaming of democracy in J&K as voters are coming out to vote in large numbers. This time, almost after around 50 years, like the other states, an assembly election is being conducted for 5 years, earlier the term used to be 6 years... Article 370 used to be misused by family-based parties... Grass-root democracy was restored in last 10 years," Singh said while speaking to the media in Jammu.

Amid the ongoing voting in the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections 2024, members of the Valmiki community in Jammu who were deprived from voting in the elections owing to Article 370, exercised their franchise for the first time in Jammu.

"I am very happy... I am 50 but I am casting vote for the first time. Things are changing now," a Valmiki voter said.

"It feels like a caged bird has been set free. Our community had no voting rights for the last 70 years. Valmiki community was kept away from voting process," another voter said.

The Valmiki community, which was displaced from 1957 from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir, could not vote in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state due to Article 370, which was abrogated by the BJP government at the Centre on August 5, 2019.

As voting got underway for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2024, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) President Sheikh Abdul Rashid aka Engineer Rashid's parents cast their votes at Mawer polling station in Langate assembly constituency. Rashid has fielded his brother Sheikh Khursheed.

The seat is witnessing a multi-cornered contest among AIP's Khursheed, People's Conference candidate Irfan Ganaie, and NC-Congress alliance candidate Irshad Ganaie.

As voting got underway for the third and final phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024, Kashmiri migrant Pandits displaced from their homeland in Kashmir after eruption of armed militancy in the 1990s, are casting their vote at a specially set up polling station in Jammu.

The Assistant Returning Officer Jammu has made special transporation arrangements to ferry the Kashmiri migrants to ferry them to the polling stations.

As the third and final phase of voting for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024 got underway, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa cast his vote at a polling station here and took selfie at the selfie point set up by the district administration to flaunt his inked finger.

The DC Baramulla was seen disembarking from his official car and stepping inside a polling station to exercise his franchise.

BJP candidate from Jammu North constituency Sham Lal Sharma cast his vote at a polling booth in Purkhoo Government School, Jammu. BJP candidate from Jammu North constituency Sham Lal Sharma says "This is the biggest festival of democracy. People in J&K have been waiting for Assembly elections for a long time. The long queues outside polling stations are proof that people want change in J&K. I am confident that the people in 24 seats in the Jammu province are going to break the voting records of the last several years...I request the voters to chose the best candidates..."

Congress candidate from Jammu East Yogesh Sawhney says, "Secularism will win and people will take revenge through their votes for the atrocities committed by the BJP in the last 10 years. Congress did not say that we will bring Article 370, but our demand will be that the youth of Jammu should get their jobs and their land should also be safe. Statehood should be restored. My appeal to the people is that we are fighting for the truth and I request people to go and vote and not sit at home..."

As Jammu and Kashmir proceeds with the final phase of its Assembly elections on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised that the Union Territory requires a government capable of making decisive actions for the security, peace, and stability of the region. "Jammu and Kashmir needs a visionary government that can also make strong decisions for the security, peace, and stability of the region," Shah stated in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged voters to come forward and exercise their franchise in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections to make the festival of democracy a success. The polling covers 40 seats across seven districts, including the winter capital Jammu.

People queue up outside a polling station in Jammu to vote in the third and final phase of the Assembly elections today. Eligible voters in 40 constituencies across 7 districts of the UT are exercising their franchise today.