Jammu And Kashmir Assembly Elections Phase 1 Live Updates: Kishtwar Leads Turnout With 70.03% Voter Participation

The Election Commission of India (ECI) last month announced elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The elections will take place in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, 2024. The results are set to be declared on October 8, coinciding with the Haryana Assembly election results. This election marks the first in the region since the abrogation of Article 370, which revoked its special status, effectively suspending political activity for five years.

The last Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir took place in 2014. However, the government collapsed in 2018 when the BJP withdrew its support from Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition.

The District Development Council (DDC) elections were subsequently held in late 2020. In the earlier Lok Sabha elections this year, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a significant voter turnout of 58.46%, the highest in 35 years.

Jammu and Kashmir now has 90 Assembly constituencies. The BJP has opted to contest the elections independently, while the National Conference (NC) and Congress have formed an alliance. NC will contest 51 seats, Congress 32 seats, and there will be “friendly contests” in five constituencies. Additionally, the CPI(M) has been allocated one seat in South Kashmir, while the Panthers Party has one seat in the Jammu division.

Check the LIVE updates here:

Sept.18, 2:12PM: Kishtwar leads in turnout with 70.03% voter participation

Doda saw strong voter participation in the first phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, with a turnout of 61.90%. Similarly, Ramban recorded a solid voter turnout, with more than 60% of eligible voters casting their votes.

Sept.18, 2:12PM: Kishtwar records highest voter turnout till 1 pm

Anantnag-37.90%

Doda- 50.81%

Kishtwar-56.86%

Kulgam-39.91%

Pulwama-29.84%

Ramban-49.68%

Shopian-38.72%

Sept.18, 1:25PM: Piyush Goyal speaks on what measures have been taken to bring trade and investment in Jammu & Kashmir | NewsX Exclusive

Speaking exclusively to NewsX, BJP MP Piyush Goyal said, “The state has transformed since Articles 370 and 35A were revoked. Industry investment and trade numbers have improved, and we’ve revived many hydro projects. The Jal Jeevan Mission is making water accessible to villages, which is a game-changing development.”

Sept.18, 12:55PM: 26.72% voter turnout recorded till 11 am

Jammu and Kashmir 1st phase Assembly elections: 26.72% voter turnout recorded till 11 am in Jammu and Kashmir, as per the Election Commission of India.

Anantnag-25.55%

Doda- 32.30%

Kishtwar-32.69%

Kulgam-25.95%

Pulwama-20.37%

Ramban-31.25%

Shopian-25.96%

Sept.18, 11:40AM: Voters queue up at a polling booth in Bijbehara

Sept.18, 11:25AM: Kashmiri migrant voters cast their votes under high security

Sept.18, 10:50AM: Jammu & Kashmir JD(U) President GM Shaheen: I Am Confident That This Election Will Break Records

Jammu & Kashmir JD(U) president GM Shaheen said, “I told you that this election will break records. Today’s election is against dynasty politics in Jammu and Kashmir. I am confident that this election will break records and the voter turnout will be the highest in the country. People were very upset and people were waiting for the election. This election is for the government, for a good government.”

Sept.18, 10:30AM: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urges people to vote in large numbers for a ‘brighter future’

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the first-time voters, to “participate in this crucial election and be the catalysts for change. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager to safeguard their rights and embark on a new era of true development and full statehood. As the first phase of voting in 24 Assembly constituencies commences, we urge everyone to exercise their democratic right and vote in large numbers.

He added, “Every single vote holds the power to shape the future and bring about an era of peace, stability, justice, progress, and economic empowerment. We appeal to all, especially first-time voters, to participate in this crucial election and be the catalysts for change. For the first time ever, a state was downgraded to a Union Territory, when you cast your vote, do remember who is responsible for this travesty. Let us unite and shape a brighter future for Jammu and Kashmir, where voices of all citizens are heard.”

Sept.18, 9:56AM: 11.11% voting Recorded Till 9 AM

In the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election held on Monday, voter turnout across 24 constituencies in seven districts was 11.11% by 9 am, as reported by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Inderwal seat in Doda district had the highest turnout with 16.01% of voters participating before 9 am, while the Anantnag seat saw the lowest turnout at just 6% in the morning.

Sept.18, 9:56AM: BJP leader Altaf Thakur: Kashmir has now rejected terrorism

J&K: BJP leader Altaf Thakur says, “People are very excited and have been standing in long queues to cast their votes since 6 am. Jammu and Kashmir has changed. People want to get their voices heard through democracy.”

He added, “Kashmir has now rejected terrorism, separatism, bombs, grenades and bullets and has chosen the ballot paper and wants to express itself through the ballot paper. After 2019, people are proud of Indian democracy and today people are coming out to exercise their democratic rights. It seems that PM Modi’s slogan of New Jammu and Kashmir has become successful now.”

Sept.18, 9:48AM: BJP candidate from Kishtwar Shagun Parihar claims  BJP Will Form Govt In Jammu And Kashmir

After casting her vote, BJP candidate from Kishtwar Shagun Parihar said, “The BJP will form its government in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of J&K want peace.” She added, “BJP will definitely win. Terrorism is a huge problem. The BJP has reduced terrorism to a huge extent but the PDP and the National Conference have always tried to break the society. They are going to be wiped out. J&K will be free of terrorism soon.”

Sept.18, 9:25AM: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, “The mood is in favour of Congress party”

The mood is in favour of Congress party…PM Modi visited J&K and levelled allegations against the three families. It looks like he has already accepted his defeat. BJP will be defeated in J&K.”

He added, “On Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s letter to the PM, he says, “Rahul Gandhi is the LoP and he is being called a terrorist. This is very unfortunate. PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda are silent on this.”

Sept.18, 9:11AM: Mohammad Ayoub Mir, an independent candidate from Pulwama praises Election Commission for organizing elections in Jammu and Kashmir after a decade

Independent candidate from Pulwama Assembly Constituency, Mohammad Ayoub Mir said, “I want to congratulate the Election Commission of India for starting the election progress in J&K after 10 years. It is my appeal to the voters that it is their right to cast their votes and they should exercise it.”

PDP leader and spokesperson Mohit Bhan said, “The decisions which Delhi has taken post 5th Aug 2019 and the way they have been very inhumane to the people of J&K, these queues are the testimony to that…Once we see the results on 8th October, you will see that the verdict of the people is against the decision of 5th Aug 2019.”

He added, “The public is not happy with the way they are being dealt with.The decisions are being pushed on them. They have no say in the decision-making. There is anger among the public and that’s why they are coming out to cast their vote and show what we stand for and what we don’t stand with.”

Sept.18, 8:40AM: Congress candidate from Banihal Assembly seat, Vikar Rasool Wani casts his vote

Vikar Rasool Wani, the Congress candidate from the Banihal Assembly seat, cast his vote at a polling station in Banihal. The National Conference has nominated Sajad Shaheen for the seat, while the PDP has fielded Imtiaz Ahmed Shan, and the BJP has chosen Mohd Saleem Bhat as their candidate.

Sept.18, 8:34AM: JKNC candidate from Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo casts his vote

Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, the JKNC candidate from Kishtwar, cast his vote at polling station number 92 at Town Hall. In the Kishtwar Assembly constituency, the BJP has nominated Shagun Parihar, while the PDP has put forward Firdoos Ahmed Tak as their candidate.

Sept.18, 8:31AM: Voting underway for maiden assembly election after Article 370 abrogation

Voting has commenced for the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, marking the first such elections since Article 370 was revoked. Phase 1 involves 24 constituencies across seven districts of the Union Territory, with security measures tightened, officials confirmed. This is the first Assembly election since Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory, and the first election to form an assembly in the region in a decade.

Sept.18, 8:15AM: Long queue of voters witnessed at a polling booth in Doda

A long queue of voters witnessed at a polling booth in Doda, as they await their turn to cast a vote. National Conference has fielded Khalid Najib from the Doda seat, BJP has fielded Gajay Singh Rana, Congress fielded Sheikh Riaz and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) has fielded Abdul Majid Wani.

Sept.18, 7:55AM: Constituencies going to polls in Phase 1

The constituencies voting in Phase 1 include Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, Pahalgam, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal.

Sept.18, 7:20AM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets “As the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, I urge all those in constituencies going to the polls today to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise.”

“As the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, I urge all those in constituencies going to the polls today to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise.”

Sept.18, 7:18 AM: Long queue of voters witnessed in Pulwama

A long queue of voters witnessed at a polling booth in Pulwama, as they await their turn to cast a vote. Polling for 24 Assembly constituencies across Jammu & Kashmir (16 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu), begins.

Sept.18, 6:58AM: J-K Assembly polls: Mock polling begins for first phase

Ahead of the first phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir, officials conducted mock polls at various polling booths across Union Territory. Preparations and mock polls are underway in various polling booths across Jammu and Kashmir, including Banihal, Kishtwar, and Jagti Assembly constituencies.

24 Assembly constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir are going to polls in the first phase on Wednesday. 16 assembly seats in the Kashmir region and 8 seats in the Jammu region will go for polls in first phase of elections.

Notably, 486 candidates had filed their nomination papers before the respective returning officers in 40 Assembly constituencies till the last date of filing the nominations on September 12.

Sept.18, 6:48AM: Preparations in progress at polling station in the Doda

Sept. 18, 6:43AM: Security intensified in Anantnag Assembly constituency 

24 Assembly constituencies across the J&K (16 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu) are going to polls in the first phase, scheduled for today. This marks the first Assembly elections in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Sept.18, 6:36AM: Over 35,000 Kashmiri Pandits are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase

Over 35,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandits from various parts of the country are eligible to vote at 24 polling booths in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir’s three-stage Assembly elections, scheduled for Wednesday. These voters will cast their ballots in 16 constituencies spread across the districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam in south Kashmir.