History in Making

Polling for the second phase of the General Elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was successfully conducted on Wednesday. Voters across 26 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in six districts of the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir actively participated in the elections, as the polling had begun at 7:00 AM in 3,502 polling stations. Early in the morning, long queues of voters, eager to exercise their right to franchise, were visible at polling stations. A lot of enthusiasm was seen among the voters as poll boycott calls have become things of the past. The six districts—Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam in the Kashmir Division, along with Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch in the Jammu Division—witnessed a robust voter turnout, reflecting a growing engagement with the democratic process. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar described the ongoing Assembly polls as ‘history in the making’. “It is a festival of democracy. There were calls for disruption and boycott in the past….it is a standing ovation for democracy,” the CEC added. The respective District Administrations had made elaborate arrangements to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. Polling stations were equipped with essential facilities, including drinking water, electricity, toilets, ramps, furniture, and sheds. Wheelchairs were also provided for voters with disabilities, while the ballot units featured contesting candidates’ names in Braille script to assist visually impaired voters. Special efforts were made to cater to diverse groups. Twenty-six polling booths were managed by women, known as Pink Polling Stations, aimed at encouraging female participation. Additionally, 26 polling stations were manned by specially-abled individuals, while another 26 were operated by youth volunteers. The inclusion of 26 green polling stations was a notable feature, spreading awareness about environmental concerns. There were also 31 polling stations near the Line of Control to facilitate voting for residents living in sensitive border areas. These unique polling initiatives reflected a concerted effort to raise awareness and encourage greater participation among women, the differently-abled, and first-time young voters, emphasising the inclusivity of the democratic process. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged citizens to actively participate in the second phase, stating, “Every vote matters in strengthening our democracy. I encourage all voters to make their voices heard.” He congratulated first-time voters, saying, “Your participation is crucial for shaping the future of our nation. Embrace this opportunity and exercise your right to vote.” This assembly election holds historic significance as it is the first since the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019, which altered Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status and resulted in its bifurcation into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. For the first time, the people of J&K are participating in local governance elections under the revised political landscape. The first phase of the assembly polls, held on 18 September, saw a voter turnout of over 61%, covering 24 constituencies across seven districts. The final phase of the assembly elections is scheduled for 1 October, with expectations running high for continued strong voter participation.