Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 saw a remarkable increase in voter turnout by 3 PM, with the overall polling percentage climbing to 56.01 per cent, witnessing a sharp rise of 44.41 per cent in six hours since 9 AM when the polling per cent was just 11.60 per cent.
Several constituencies witnessed significant jumps in voter participation, particularly in the Jammu division, with Chhamb registering the highest turnout at 68.31 per cent, and Kashmir division's Sopore continuing to have the lowest turnout, at 34.21 per cent.
Jammu’s Akhnoor (SC) reported a strong voter turnout, jumping from 14.42 per cent in the morning to 66.27 per cent by 3 pm, marking an increase of 51.85 percentage points. Bahu saw a significant rise as well, from 10.30 per cent to 47.70 per cent, reflecting a 37.40-point increase. Bandipora, in the Kashmir Division, increased its turnout from 10.45 per cent to 48.75 per cent, a rise of 38.30 points.
Bani saw its voter turnout skyrocket from 14.38 per cent to 64.64 per cent, an impressive rise of 50.26 percentage points. Baramulla had a modest increase, going from 7.38 per cent to 38.39 per cent, a rise of 31.01 points. Basohli registered a substantial increase as well, with turnout growing from 11.67 per cent to 60.50 per cent, marking a 48.83-point jump.
Billawar saw its voter turnout rise significantly from 13.90 per cent to 62.74 per cent, an increase of 48.84 points. Bishnah (SC) rose from 12.38 per cent to 62.05 per cent, showing a sharp increase of 49.67 percentage points. Chenani, another key constituency in the Jammu region, surged from 14.99 per cent to 65.29 per cent, reflecting an impressive rise of 50.30 points.
Chhamb, which recorded the highest turnout at 68.31 per cent, increased from 13.61 per cent in the morning, a surge of 54.70 percentage points. Gulmarg experienced a notable jump in voter engagement, rising from 10.60 per cent to 52.35 per cent, a rise of 41.75 points. Gurez (ST), known for its difficult terrain, registered a voter turnout of 66.17 per cent, an increase of 52.99 points from 13.18 per cent.
Handwara saw its voter turnout increase from 13.46 per cent to 59.11 per cent, a rise of 45.65 points. Hiranagar recorded a turnout of 62.51 per cent, up by 49.02 points from 13.49 per cent. Jammu East rose from 8.26 per cent to 49.88 per cent, showing a sharp increase of 41.62 percentage points. Similarly, Jammu North climbed to 50.71 per cent, an increase of 41.02 points from its earlier turnout of 9.69 per cent.
Jammu West saw its turnout increase from 9.08 per cent to 47.18 per cent, a 38.10-point rise. Jasrota registered an increase of 49.71 points, with its turnout rising from 13.90 per cent to 63.61 per cent. Karnah, a remote constituency, saw its voter turnout increase significantly from 11.00 per cent to 56.52 per cent, a rise of 45.52 points.
In Kathua (SC), turnout rose from 11.65 per cent to 61.21 per cent, showing a 49.56-point increase. Kupwara saw its turnout grow from 10.00 per cent to 48.71 per cent, a 38.71-point rise. Langate registered a rise from 11.06 per cent to 50.96 per cent, a 39.90-point increase. Lolab recorded a similar trend, rising from 10.77 per cent to 51.76 per cent, an increase of 41 points.
Marh (SC) saw its voter turnout jump from 13.94 per cent to 64.48 per cent, an increase of 50.54 points. Nagrota registered a rise of 49.72 points, with turnout increasing from 12.88 per cent to 62.60 per cent. Pattan saw a significant rise, going from 8.66 per cent to 49.71 per cent, a 41.05-point increase.
RS Pura - Jammu South saw a voter turnout of 51.51 per cent, up by 39.59 points from 11.92 per cent earlier. Rafiabad registered a rise of 38.63 points, with turnout reaching 50.12 per cent from 11.49 per cent. Ramgarh (SC) experienced a rise of 49.68 points, increasing from 14.22 per cent to 63.90 per cent.
Ramnagar (SC) saw its turnout increase from 15.27 per cent to 63.67 per cent, a rise of 48.40 points. Samba registered a voter turnout of 62.45 per cent, up by 50.04 points from 12.41 per cent in the morning. Sonawari rose from 12.49 per cent to 54.84 per cent, reflecting an increase of 42.35 points.
In Sopore, the lowest turnout was recorded, with an increase from 6.71 per cent to 34.21 per cent, a modest rise of 27.50 points. Suchetgarh (SC) saw a significant rise in voter engagement, climbing from 10.45 per cent to 57.98 per cent, a 47.53-point increase. Trehgam saw its voter turnout increase from 11.12 per cent to 52.33 per cent, marking a rise of 41.21 points.
Udhampur East saw a rise from 13.96 per cent to 65.13 per cent, a 51.17-point increase. Udhampur West registered a rise of 50.76 points, with turnout growing from 12.89 per cent to 63.65 per cent. Uri saw a significant increase, with its voter turnout jumping from 8.57 per cent to 54.04 per cent, a rise of 45.47 points.
Finally, Vijaypur rose from 13.32 per cent to 63.40 per cent, reflecting an increase of 50.08 points. Wagoora-Kreeri registered a rise from 9.50 per cent to 47.23 per cent, an increase of 37.73 points.
Polling will continue until 6 PM. According to the ECI, voting has so far been reported as peaceful across all constituencies. Meanwhile, authorities have implemented amplified security measures across the region to ensure a smooth electoral process.
