The Kashmir Pulse

NEW DELHI — The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday said it is ready to hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir and that the Union Territory recorded the highest voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in the last four decades.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi to give an overview of marathon 7-phase 2024 general elections that concluded on June 1, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, as per the local news agency KNS, said the commission is ready to hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in the last four decades with 58.58 overall per cent, while Kashmir Valley recorded a 51.05 per cent turnout.

He also said that there was no major incident reported during polls anywhere in the country including Jammu and Kashmir.

The 7-phase Lok Sabha polls concluded on June 1, while votes will be counted tomorrow. On June 1, the exit polls predicted a landslide victory for PM Modi-led NDA with the alliance poised to win over 350 seats.

Meanwhile, all arrangements have been put in place with heightened security measures for the counting of votes across the country including Jammu and Kashmir.

For Jammu and Kashmir, most of the exit polls predicted the National Conference's win in all three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir Valley, BJP's two-seat wins in the Jammu division and Congress winning the lone Lok Sabha seat in Ladakh.

SRINAGAR — Exit polls for Lok Sabha elections 2024 released on Saturday evening suggest victory for the National Conference on two Lok Sabha seats while predicting one seat for the PDP. It claims that the BJP could win two seats from Jammu division.

As per the local news agency KNO, Jammu and Kashmir has seen an unprecedented voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha elections, with 58.46 per cent of the electorate participating, the highest in 35 years. Voting for all contestable Lok Sabha seats concluded on Saturday with the seventh and final phase. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

Exit polls, released this evening, provide early insights into potential outcomes. Times Now's exit poll suggests the BJP could win 2 seats, while Congress-NC might secure 2-3 seats, and the PDP could win 1 seat.

Specifically, the NC is projected to win the Srinagar and Anantnag seats comfortably, with strong showings in their traditional strongholds. The Anantnag-Rajouri seat is expected to favour NC due to the division of Pahari votes between the PDP and the Apni Party.

In Baramulla, the competition is intense with Omar Abdullah, Sajjad Lone, and Er Rashid all having strong performances in different regions. Omar has done well in Baramulla and Budgam, Lone in Kupwara and Bandipora, and Rashid has garnered significant support from the separatist vote bank.

As per News 24 exit polls, in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, NDA might bag 2-3 seats whereas JKNC should grab 3 seats and Congress would range from 0-1 seat.

Historically, in the 2019 elections, which included Ladakh as part of Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP won three seats in Jammu, Udhampur, and Ladakh, while the NC won Baramulla, Srinagar, and Anantnag.

On the national front, several exit polls forecast a sweeping victory for the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, it appears unlikely that the NDA will meet the ambitious 400-seat target set by BJP's senior leadership earlier.

The exit polls, a method of election survey conducted by various agencies and news channels, provide early indications by asking voters whom they voted for as they leave polling stations. This data is then analyzed using mathematical models to estimate the likely distribution of seats.

JAMMU — With the conclusion of voting in all five parliamentary seats of Jammu and Kashmir, preparations for the counting of votes have intensified. The vote-counting process is set to begin on June 4 at 8 am in the respective parliamentary constituencies, with a trial run scheduled for May 31.

As per the news agency KNO, the trial for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency will take place and counting will be held at SKICC Srinagar. For Baramulla seat, counting will be held in Government Degree College Baramulla. On the other hand, the counting of votes for Anantnag-Rajouri seat will be held in Government Degree College Anantnag.

Jammu parliamentary seat will take place at MAM College Jammu and Polytechnic Vikram Chowk. Approximately 400 personnel will be involved in the trial run. Overall, a total of 2200 employees have been trained for the vote counting process, with 1500 designated for duty on counting day and the remaining kept on standby.

In Jammu, vote counting will cover seven assembly constituencies at MAM College and 11 at Polytechnic.

To ensure accuracy and prevent errors, employees will adhere to a specific dress code for each assembly constituency at both locations. An election official disclosed that 265 tables will be installed at MAM College and Polytechnic, with an additional 35 tables designated for service voting. Each table will be manned by a counting assistant, counting supervisor, and micro supervisor, with AROs stationed at separate tables.

During the trial, electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other election materials will be transported from the strong room to the counting centres and then returned. The trial will commence at 8 am, with employees expected to report by 6 am. All trained personnel have been instructed to be present.

The Jammu parliamentary seat has 37,404 registered service voters. As counting day approaches, the anticipation and anxiety among politicians and their supporters are palpable. Many constituencies, particularly those centred in Kashmir, are witnessing fierce competition among prominent candidates.

Representatives will be present at the counting centres, and a large number of supporters are expected to gather outside.

Meanwhile, with voting completed across all five seats in the UT, many politicians and their supporters are seen in a relaxed state, some even visiting tourist destinations to unwind before the results are declared.

NEW DELHI — People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that an FIR has been filed against her for flouting the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

In a post on X, Mufti said that her protest was against the Government of India and local administration for detaining her party's workers.

"Amusing to find an FIR filed against me for apparently flouting MCC. This is the price PDP has paid for speaking truth to power. Our protest was against GOI in cahoots with local administration for detaining hundreds of PDP polling agents and workers in the hours leading to voting. Still not satisfied, the same administration went on to launch cordon and search operations in traditional PDP stronghold areas to terrorise our voters and prevent them from exercising their right to vote," Mufti said.

"Ulta chor kotwal ko daante," she added.

Earlier, on the day of voting in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat on May 25, Mehbooba Mufti sat in a protest alleging that the police had detained her party's polling agents and workers without any reason.

Mufti said, "PDP workers are being locked up in police stations without any reason. DG, LG, and all officials from top to bottom are involved in this. They have locked up PDP polling agents in police stations. You had said that there will be free and fair elections but you are doing all this. Complaints are being received from places where efforts are being made to tamper the machines (EVMs)."

On May 13, she also wrote a letter to the Election Commission to stop the alleged harassment and "illegal" arrest of the party workers.

Mufti is in the electoral fray for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat against National Conference (NC) candidate Mian Altaf Ahmad and Zafar Iqbal Manhas of the Apni Party.

According to the latest figure from the Election Commission, the Anatnag-Rajouri constituency recorded 54.3 per cent voter turnout. The voter turnout in the constituency was 14.3 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

SRINAGAR — The Election Commission of India on Monday said that the voter turnout in Jammu & Kashmir in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls was the highest in a parliament election in the last 35 years.

The poll body today said that overall voter turnout for the entire Union Territory in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls stood at 58.46 per cent.

“In a massive stride for India’s electoral polity, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its highest poll participation in the last 35 years. The combined voter turnout (VTR) at the polling stations for the entire Union Territory (5 Lok Sabha seats) was 58.46 % in the General Elections 2024. This significant participation is a testament to the robust democratic spirit and civic engagement of the people in the region,” the ECI said, as per the news agency KNO.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, “This active participation is a huge positive for assembly elections to be held soon so that the democratic process continues to thrive in the Union Territory.”

“This achievement sits on a credible weave of a 25% increase in the number of contesting candidates since 2019, C-vigil complaints showing enhanced citizen involvement and Suvidha Portal showing 2455 requests for rallies etc., reflecting the steady retaking of the election & campaign space away from hesitation and to fuller participation," he said.

He added, "Compared this outcome of the layered depth of electoral mobilization and participation, as reminiscent of the fame and deft of the legendary Kashmiri artisanal weave. This active participation is a huge positive for assembly elections to be held soon so that the democratic process continues to thrive in the Union Territory.”

The Commission said that the voter turnout of 50.86% from the three parliamentary constituencies in the Kashmir Valley echoes the faith of the people in the democratic process. “The poll participation percentage witnessed 30 points jump from the last GE in 2019 where it was 19.16%,” the poll body said.

The parliamentary segments of Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri recorded a voter turnout of 38.49%, 59.1% and 54.84% respectively, which has been the highest in the last three decades.

The other two parliamentary constituencies namely Udhampur and Jammu recorded 68.27% and 72.22% voter turnout, respectively.

LEH — If nothing unusual happens, Ladakh Lok Sabha is likely to be won by the Independent candidate from Kargil Hanifa Jan, this is what political observers feel keeping the ground perception in account.

According to political observers and politically conscious citizens, Congress is nowhere in the picture and there is a direct contest between the Kargil-sponsored candidate and the BJP candidate from Leh.

The Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency is going for polls on May 20. The contest is between Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal, leader of the opposition in Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council, the BJP’s Tashi Gyalson and independent candidate Hanifa Jan who was the former president of the National Conference.

Today, a mega rally was addressed by Kargil-based candidate Hanifa Jan in Kargil Bazar in which thousands of people participated. Due to the rally, Kargil town witnessed a massive traffic jam.

Former Minister and present Councillor Feroz Ahmed Khan told the news agency KNT that there is the least possibility of vote division in Kargil. “In Leh, there is a contest between BJP and Congress candidates, and the votes will get divided there but that will not be the case in Kargil. There is every possibility that Hanifa Jan backed by different political, socio-religious parties will make it up to the parliament,” he said.

A former MLA from Congress, wishing not to be named, also said that a Kargil-based candidate will emerge victorious in the election. He confirmed that Hanifa Jan has full backing from the Congress Kargil Unit. The Islamia School, Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, and other religious organizations of Kargil have also extended support to Hanifa Jan.

Kargil region has 7,049 more voters than the Leh district; Leh district has 88,877 voters and Kargil 95,926.

Ladakh Buddhist Association president Chering Dorje Lakrook also claimed that Hanifa Jan has a strong chance of winning the seat.

SRINAGAR — Expressing ‘regrets’ of sorts for not contesting on three crucial Kashmir Lok Sabha seats, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the BJP unit of J&K must gear up to contest on all seats in the upcoming Assembly elections slated for September this year.

Shah stated this while interacting with the BJP delegation at The Lalit Palace in Srinagar. The Home Minister arrived in Srinagar this evening amid tight security cover.

As per the news agency KNO, he met several delegations including Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis and Sikhs. In the end, he met the BJP delegation that included BJP’s General Secretary and J&K Affairs Incharge Sunil Sharma and other leaders—Darakshan Andrabi, Hina Bhat, Sofi Yousuf, Altaf Thakur, Dr GM Mir, Ali Muhammad and Bilal Parray. BJP’s national General Secretary Tarun Chug was also present at the meeting.

A source privy to the meeting said that Shah in his opening remarks stated that he has worked very hard to strengthen the BJP at the grassroots level in every nook and corner of the country. “At the onset, Shah expressed a regret of sorts about BJP not contesting the elections on three crucial Lok Sabha seats but maintained that some battles are not fought to defeat the enemy but to check, strengthen and to reinforce the own cadre,” the source revealed.

He said the Union Home Minister stressed the rank and file of BJP to ensure dynasty rule of National Conference, PDP and Congress is wiped out and for that, “you all must vote against these parties in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls for Baramulla constituency and Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary seat on May 13 and May 25.”

Shah, according to the source, directed the party men to ensure that the vote of every single BJP worker, leader and activist goes against NC, PDP and Congress.

The source said that during the meeting, Shah made a big announcement that BJP will contest all seats of J&K in the upcoming Assembly polls slated in September this year. The Supreme Court of India had directed the Centre to hold Assembly polls by September this year.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had cited security reasons and the ‘NO’ from the J&K administration for not holding Lok Sabha and Assembly polls simultaneously.

A BJP leader, wishing not to be named, said that Shah asked the BJP unit of J&K to gear up and prepare for the upcoming Assembly polls as the party would “contest on all Assembly seats.”

In a rally at Jammu recently, Shah had stated that BJP was not in a hurry to see Lotus bloom in J&K in Parliamentary polls. The party contested two seats of Jammu and Udhampur LS by fielding incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs)—Jugal Kishore Sharma and Dr Jitendera Singh.

It may be recalled after delimitation, the total seats in the assembly rose to 114 seats, of which 24 seats are designated for areas that fall under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Out of the remaining 90 seats, 43 seats are in the Jammu division and 47 seats are in the Kashmir division.

Shah's Kashmir visit came just a day after Jamaat-e-Islami expressed its willingness to join the electoral politics again after 1987 subject to the condition that the Centre revokes the ban imposed on it in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act (UAPA). There was a buzz that a JeI delegation was also likely to meet the Home Minister, however, there was no confirmation of the same till late evening (Thursday).

Sources privy to Shah’s visit said that the Home Minister will air-dash to New Delhi at 10 am on Friday.

Union Home Minister gets feedback about post Article 370 situation from delegations

As the Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar on Thursday evening, several delegations of Gujjar-Bakarwals, Paharis and Sikh communities here met him at SKICC, where the communities raised their demands with regard to the jobs, reservations and other related things.

Talking exclusively with the news agency KNO, the participants said that the delegations called on Amit Shah and discussed several issues in a cordial atmosphere.

A member from Gujjar-Bakerwal community from South Kashmir, Ahmad Bin Bumla said that the Union Home Minister sought feedback from them about the post-Article 370 situation. “We also discussed several issues and put forth our demands,” he said, adding that the issue of development, Scheduled Tribe status given to Paharis and other issues were also discussed during the meeting.

Shahbaz Peer, another member of the delegation, said that three delegations comprising 150 members from the community have met the Union Home Minister, adding that they put forth the demands like special recruitment for ST community, the spread of the private sector to ensure more jobs for the youth from the community. “We were assured that all the issues and demands raised by us will be looked into,” Peer said.

A member from the Sikh community, Engineer Nirmal Singh, said that a delegation comprising nearly 60 members met the Union Home Minister this evening and raised several demands.

“We demanded a special package for employment like the way minorities have been given here. Besides, we also demanded the establishment of a minority commission and also ST status for the community,” Singh said, adding that they have been told that the demands will be looked into, but the Home Minister has sought some time, according to him, for redressing their grievances and fulfilling their demands.

In a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, one of the members of Gujjar-Bakerwal delegation from north Kashmir, Ghulam Mohammad Khatana said that they discussed only the Schedule Tribe (ST) issue.

“People belonging to ST were unhappy earlier for cutting off their reservation and giving it to Paharis. However, the delegations of Gujjar-Bakarwals were assured that the 10 per cent reservation for them hasn’t been fiddled with,” he said.

Khatana said that HM assured that Paharis were given different reservation quotas and the reservation for Gujjar-Bakerwal was still there. “Besides, the Gujjar-Bakerwal delegation was told that they can elect their own Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the upcoming assembly elections,” he said.

In the meeting with HM, the Gujjar-Bakerwal delegation further informed HM that the community was facing electricity and other basic issues.

Meanwhile, one of the members of the Pahari delegation from north Kashmir, Mohd Younis Sheikh said that the community thanked HM for the reservation to the community. “In the meeting, we thanked Home Minister Amit Shah for his support to the Pahari community. This was the main agenda of our delegation,” he said.

The Pahari community members from South Kashmir also stated that they thanked the Union Home Minister for resolving their long pending issue. “The issue that continued to linger for the last seven decades has been resolved for which we thanked him and also told him that the community is indebted to the government for resolving this grave issue,” Syed Akhter Hussain, a member from South Kashmir’s Pahari community delegation, said.

“The way our demands have been respected, we are ready to respect the government by following its every decision,” he said.

Pertinently, Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar amid tight security arrangements this evening and met several delegations. The Union Home Minister is scheduled to spend a night here only and will be leaving early tomorrow.

PULWAMA — In a significant electoral moment, Kashmir witnessed its first major polls after the abrogation of Article 370, with hopeful residents expressing their aspirations for robust parliamentary representation.

Speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, citizens voiced optimism about electing deserving candidates who would echo their aspirations in the Parliament. Many first-time voters emphasized the importance of having a voice in the Parliament that resonates with their dreams and concerns.

Moreover, there's a palpable desire among Kashmiris for the conduct of assembly elections by the Election Commission of India, enabling the establishment of a local government for addressing grassroots issues.

The Election Commission reported a voter turnout of approximately 36.58% in Srinagar, one of Kashmir's three parliamentary constituencies, by 8 pm on May 13. This turnout is a notable increase compared to previous elections, marking a potential shift in the region's political engagement.

Srinagar, encompassing volatile areas of the city and surrounding districts, has historically struggled with low voter participation. However, Monday's turnout of 36.58% is the highest recorded since 1996, signalling a significant shift in civic participation.

The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 mark a pivotal moment for Kashmir since the BJP-led government's controversial decision to revoke Article 370 in August 2019, altering the region's constitutional status and dividing it into Union Territories.

In this election, the absence of boycott calls is noteworthy, reflecting a renewed sense of political participation among Kashmiris. Srinagar, a bastion of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has witnessed keen competition among candidates, including Aga Ruhullah of NC, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Mohammad Ashraf Mir of the J&K Apni Party (AP) backed by J&K People’s Conference (PC).

The 2024 general election signals a potential turning point in Kashmir's electoral turf, offering residents an opportunity to shape their political future amidst evolving circumstances. With Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri set to vote in subsequent rounds, Kashmir's political journey continues to unfold in the post-Article 370 era.

PULWAMA — In the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, voting for the Srinagar parliamentary seat marked a significant milestone since the abrogation of Article 370, as hundreds of young voters exercised their right to vote for the first time.

Dr Talat Majeed, a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district, who recently joined Altaf Bukhari's political party (Apni Party), participated in the election process by casting his vote.

Following his vote, Dr Majeed emphasized the importance of the election in showcasing the Kashmiri people's commitment to democracy. "This election process will answer those people who were claiming that the future of Kashmiris was not secure with India," he stated, noting the significant shift in the political landscape post the Article 370 abrogation.

Dr Majeed highlighted the increased participation of youth in the democratic process, a departure from previous trends where they were often sidelined. He expressed optimism for future elections, anticipating even higher voter turnout.

Responding to queries about the increased election frequency, Dr Majeed explained, "Compared to the assembly elections, the voting rate is generally lower in the parliamentary elections, but this time, the percentage of voting has increased in these parliamentary elections," suggesting a positive trend for upcoming assembly elections.

As the political scenario continues to evolve in Kashmir, Dr Majeed's remarks highlight the growing engagement of Kashmiri youth in shaping the region's democratic future.

PULWAMA — As the voting across four assembly segments is under way in Pulwama, the District Election Officer (DEO) Pulwama, Dr Basharat Qayoom (IAS) visited many polling stations, engaging with enthusiastic voters and fostering the spirit of democracy.

Amidst jubilant scenes, Pulwama resonated with the vibrant celebrations of the festival of democracy.

During his visit, DEO Dr Basharat, while monitoring the election process, interacted with many voters.

Voters have turned up in large numbers in district Pulwama and long queues have also been witnessed in some polling stations like Naira, Murran and Bellow among others.

SRINAGAR — J&K political leaders, including Sajjad Gani Lone and Altaf Bukhari, have raised concerns over the arrest and harassment of workers ahead of the polls.

Sajjad Gani Lone, President of J&K Peoples Conference, appealed to the Election Commission and administration to ensure fairness and impartiality, urging them not to target parties selectively.

Echoing his sentiments, Altaf Bukhari, President of the Apni Party, condemned the arrests of their workers and agents, labelling it as a blatant attempt to manipulate the elections.

Both leaders called for the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to stop the arrest spree and ensure free and fair elections, emphasizing the need for a level playing field for all political entities.

They accused rival parties like the National Conference and PDP of having deep connections with the administration and orchestrating the arrests to curtail fair competition.

The ongoing arrests have sparked concerns, with the Apni Party warning of a potential boycott if their workers are not released promptly.

Pertinently, Mehbooba Mufti, the President of the Peoples Democratic Party, also accused the UT administration of arresting and harassing their workers ahead of polls in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency.

SRINAGAR — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday levelled critical allegations on the government, saying “political Ikhwan is being thrusting in Jammu and Kashmir, and 1987-like poll rigging is being repeated”.

Addressing a press conference here in Srinagar, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, as per the news agency KNS, said that it is surprising that Section 143 has been imposed in district Pulwama ahead of Lok Sabha elections in the segment which is being held on May 13.

“It is unprecedented that Section 143 has been imposed in district Pulwama. For the past few days, our party workers who have participated actively in poll campaigning are being summoned to police stations and subsequently detained. Besides our 60 workers have been arrested in Poonch district after militants ambushed the IAF convoy in Sanai Top," she said.

"We want to ask the Election Commission of India (ECI) if you want to rig elections like rigged in 1987, then what for this whole drama is being created,” Mehbooba Mufti said.

She alleged that the government is trying to revive “Ikhwan” in Jammu and Kashmir to muzzle people’s voices in the region. “They (government) have constituted sooted-booted Ikhwan. They have formed political Ikhwan this time to throttle the voice of hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

The PDP chief, who is herself contesting Lok Sabha elections from the southern Anantnag-Rajouri seat, alleged that PDP workers are selectively being targeted. She appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha that if the government was willing to do this, then what for this election drama was staged?

“Each and every institution of the Government of India is being used to help proxies of BJP in Jammu and Kashmir with an aim to throttle the real voice of J&K,” she alleged.

She said abundant graveyards have come into being after election rigging took place in 1987. She also said that due to the pro-people approach of Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the confidence of Kashmir’s on-vote chit was restored but the situation is being repeated today.

“You have jailed Kashmiri youth like Waheed Para, but we are making them to be ready to reach Parliament. You have stated militancy is over in Jammu and Kashmir, if it is a reality, then what for Section 143 being imposed,” Mehbooba stated.

SRINAGAR — The culmination of campaigning in the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency signs the onset of an electoral battle in the fourth phase of the 18th Lok Sabha polls, slated to be held on May 13 (Monday), marked by the perennial rivalry between National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the news agency KNO, the campaigning has come to an end today while the authorities have declared ‘Dry Day’ in Srinagar from this evening.

Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, who is the Returning Officer (RO) for Srinagar PC, has declared a “Dry Day” in Srinagar from 6:00 pm on May 11, 2024, till 6:00 pm on May 13, 2024 in the wake of the scheduled polling in the Constituency.

In this regard, an order has been issued by the District Magistrate stating, “In light of the ECI election schedule, District Srinagar is going to polls for Lok Sabha Elections-2024 on May 13, 2024, ‘Dry Day’ is declared from 6.00 pm on 11/05/2024 till 13/05/2024” in the district.

“Accordingly, all liquor shops, bars, eating houses etc will be shut during the said period and no liquor will also be served in hotels, clubs and other establishments,”, the order further reads.

Meanwhile, a total of 17,47,810 voters are going to decide the fate of 24 candidates by casting their ballots in around 2135 polling stations across five districts of Kashmir. The polling will take place in 18 assembly segments on Monday from morning 7:00 am to evening 6:00 pm in Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal and Shopian.

As per the details available, more than two lakh electorates are first-time voters. Of the total 17.47 lakh voters, 8,75,938 are male and 8,71,808 are female electorates and 64 are third-gender voters. As per the data, there are around 11,682 persons with disability and 705 persons above the age of 100 years.

As the stage is set for the voting, the poll body has made an arrangement for four election staff at every polling station, thereby over 8,500 polling staff, including reserve, will be deployed on duty for polling in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency.

Around 20 polling booths across the constituency will be managed by the women, known as pink polling stations while 18 others will be managed by specially-abled persons.

The voters will have their valid identity proof like Aadhar Card, MGNREGA Job Card, Passbook with photograph issued by Bank or Post Office, driving license or other cards along.

As per the details, more than 600 journalists and cameramen of print, electronic and social media platforms have been provided with passes to cover the polling.

While a tough contest is expected in the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, a major battle is expected between the three candidates, who are fighting on the tickets of NC, PDP and Syed Altaf Bukhari-led Apni Party.

NC has fielded Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi while PDP has chosen a young face, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para and Apni Party has fielded Muhammad Ashraf Wani as the party’s candidate from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency.

All three parties and candidates have many areas as their stronghold, thereby paving the way for the tight contest on May 13.

During the ongoing elections, Srinagar's Downtown areas witnessed political rallies for the first time in the last several decades as the people were seen as enthusiastic and keen during the political activities in these areas.

Notably, the Apni Party has also got the support of former legislator Ishfaq Jabbar-led party in Ganderbal, which is expected to give a further push to the party candidate in this election.

SRINAGAR — With parliamentary elections for the Srinagar segment scheduled on Monday, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Jammu and Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole on Friday said that they have designated 18 polling booths in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency as “Pink Polling Stations” for women, entirely managed by the females.

According to the news agency KNO, CEO J&K, said that in order to encourage female voters to cast their votes, they have established some “Pink Polling Stations,” where the entire management will be females.

He said that these specially curated polling stations will be manned exclusively by women, from polling party, polling party agents to security personnel.

He said the move is aimed at ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for female voters. He added that apart from the pink polling stations initiative, they have made other practical measures to facilitate women's participation with each polling station dedicated to a female helper — an Asha or Anganwadi worker, to assist female voters throughout the electoral process.

Additionally, separate queues and other facilities will be provided to cater specifically to the needs of female voters at all polling stations, he said.

He said that this initiative underscores the commitment of electoral authorities to foster an inclusive and equitable democratic process. By prioritizing the needs and concerns of female voters, the "Pink Polling Booths" seeks to elevate their voices and ensure their active participation in shaping the future of their constituency.

Pole, while speaking about the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), said that any violations reported were promptly addressed through written communication to the concerned candidates and political parties, with stress on the importance of compliance with MCC guidelines to ensure a fair and orderly electoral process.

“Barring a few instances of minor MCC violations, no such major violation has come up that could have resulted in a problem. And if there was anything, we conveyed in writing both to political parties and the candidates,” he said.

Regarding voter turnout percentage, CEO J&K, while refraining from making any predictions, urged people to participate in the electoral process on the upcoming polling dates in Jammu and Kashmir.

PULWAMA — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Srinagar Parliamentary seat, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Saturday said that the BJP-led government at the Centre should not repeat the 1987 rigged election, saying it will have disastrous consequences.

The elections were allegedly rigged by Congress alongside the National Conference in Kashmir, spurring armed militancy in the Valley a year later.

Talking to the news agency KNO, he said that his party did not demand any support from the Central government but was seeking free and fair elections.

He said that the government shouldn't support those who are misleading them, alleging Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari has been misleading Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged that his workers are being detained at the behest of Bukhari and named him the “chief of political Ikhwan”.

He said that people must vote for those who they really think can raise their voices in the parliament as people in J&K have been living under constant fear since August 2019.

Para said that there has been silence since August 2019 in J&K and nobody dares to speak here. “We want to break the silence and we can save our identity, land and resources that are under threat,” he added.

He claimed that his party, especially President Mehbooba Mufti, is the only leader who has been very vocal against the policies of the Government of India since 2019 while other leaders have maintained silence.

According to Para, people in large numbers must vote to keep those away from power who have been misleading the Government of India.

SRINAGAR — Deputy Commissioner Pulwama on Saturday said that restrictions imposed under section 144 in the district have been mandated under the Election Commission of India’s specific SOPs for the last 72 and 48 hours for poll campaigning.

In a post on X, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, as per the news agency KNO informed that such orders have been issued by other districts as well. He said that the ECI Guidelines mandate specific SOPs for the last 72 hours and last 48 hours.

“Under Section 126 and Section 130 of Representation of People's Act 1951 and SOPs edition 2, Para 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3 mandate issuing of Order under Section 144 CrPC,” he added. The Deputy Commissioner added that such orders have been issued by other districts also, which went to polls or are going to polls.

“The restrictions apply to specific activities related to the campaign, being silent period. Restriction relates to only specified points in order and not general restrictions,” he said.

The restrictions, as per the order, shall be effective from 6 pm on Saturday (today) till polling day on May 13. Pulwama district is part of the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, which is slated to go to polls on May 13 in the 4th phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

SRINAGAR — After a marathon 66-day hunger strike demanding statehood and constitutional protection for Ladakh, environmentalist Sonam Wangchuck announced the end of the strike, citing the impending Lok Sabha elections and a commitment to maintaining peace during the electoral process.

As per the reports received by the news agency KNO, Wangchuck, flanked by supporters from the Leh Apex Body, emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth electoral process without disruptions. With only 10 days remaining until the elections, he expressed the need to avoid any complications that could arise from the ongoing hunger strike.

"We do not want any kind of problem in the elections. Therefore, we are ending the strike for now," Wangchuck said. He further expressed hope that the issues concerning Ladakh's statehood and constitutional safeguards would be addressed through the democratic process of voting and subsequent government actions.

Highlighting the core objectives of the hunger strike, Wangchuck reiterated its fundamental purpose. "Our strike was to save the culture, environment, and identity of the people of Ladakh," he said.

The hunger strike, which began in March and continued for over two months, garnered widespread support from various sections of Ladakhi society.

In March, Wangchuck initiated a 21-day hunger strike, which concluded on March 26. Subsequently, the movement gained momentum as youth, women, Buddhist monks, and elders in Leh joined in solidarity, staging consecutive days of hunger strikes in support of Wangchuck's cause.

While the hunger strike has been temporarily suspended, Wangchuck emphasized the readiness to resume protests if necessary in the future.

SRINAGAR — The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Tuesday a significant revision to the election schedule for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat, moving the polling day from May 7 to May 25.

The decision came in response to numerous representations from various political parties in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. These representations cited logistical challenges, communication barriers, and natural connectivity hindrances that were impeding fair campaigning opportunities for contesting candidates in the constituency.

According to an official order from the Election Commission of India, cited by a local news agency, the Commission considered reports from the UT administration and assessed the ground situation prevailing in the constituency before making the decision.

"The Commission, after considering the report from UT administration as well as analyzing the ground situation prevailing in the said constituency, has decided under Section 56 of Representation of People Act, 1951, to revise the date of the poll in the said Parliamentary Constituency in respect of ongoing General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024, for Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat from 07 May to 25 May," the order stated.

This move aims to ensure a more equitable electoral process and address the challenges faced by candidates in effectively reaching out to voters in the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.

SRINAGAR — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth president and a contestant from Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Wednesday said that the party will try its best to represent the sentiment of youth in the Parliament democratically.

Para, who filed nomination for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat today, while speaking to the news agency KNS that their effort in this election is to reach every household of Jammu and Kashmir and seek votes and confidence of people who have been left unattended from the last five years.

He said PDP represents the youth of Jammu & Kashmir and their aspirations and assures people of the region that they will become their voice. He appealed to voters to give them an opportunity to serve their sentiments in the Parliament. “Give us a chance and see how PDP will represent people in New Delhi’s Parliament,” he said.

Para asserted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are craving and have an urge to connect with PDP as this is the only party who flagged up their concerns in odd and even. “After August 5, 2019, no political leader dared to speak up for their people. Everyone remained tight-lipped, and it was only Mehbooba Mufti who took a stand and stood for people,” he said.

“PDP will try its best to represent people’s sentiment democratically,” Para added. He continued that many elements were thinking of boycotting, but he appeals to the people, especially youth, to vote whosoever they want to elect. “Your vote is inevitable for change,” he added.

PULWAMA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched its election campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir with a vibrant road show stretching from Tahab Crossing, Circular Road Pulwama to Sangam, Anantnag on Tuesday.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and party's youth president Waheed-ur-Rehman Para led the rally, which drew hundreds of enthusiastic participants, predominantly comprised of youth and PDP supporters.

Addressing the media during the event, Mehbooba Mufti extended condolences to the families affected by the recent Batwara Srinagar boat capsizing incident.

She emphasized the historical support from Pulwama, asserting its significance as the starting point of their campaign. Criticizing the current administration, she lamented the alleged transformation of the union territory into an "open jail" under the BJP-led LG regime.

Mufti condemned the shooting of a tourist guide in Shopian, labelling it unfortunate. However, she contested the mass arrests of youth under Public Safety Act (PSA) charges, suggesting it was disproportionate to the incident.

The PDP's election strategy was outlined, with Mufti contesting from the remodelled Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Para entering the fray from Srinagar-Pulwama, and Fayaz Ahmad Mir standing as the candidate from the north Kashmir constituency.

The PDP's decision to contest independently follows a public fallout with the National Conference despite their previous alliance in the INDIA coalition.

The upcoming polls, commencing on April 19, will witness prominent contenders including former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and veteran National Conference leader Mian Altaf.

Jammu and Kashmir's electoral landscape has undergone significant changes with the state's transition to a Union territory. The redrawing of constituencies, including Anantnag, aims at achieving parity in representation between Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

Mehbooba Mufti's stronghold in south Kashmir is pivotal for the PDP's electoral prospects, having secured parliamentary victories in 2004 and 2014. South Kashmir's allegiance to the PDP played a crucial role in the party's ascent to power in the 2014 assembly elections.

The Anantnag constituency, emerging from the delimitation exercise, will go to polls on May 7, reflecting the evolving political dynamics in the region.

Political observers anticipate a fiercely contested electoral battle, with each party vying to consolidate its traditional support bases amidst shifting demographics and geopolitical changes.