The third and final phase of polling in the seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir concluded peacefully, marking the end of the electoral process with a record in voting phase 3 Over 69 per cent voter turnout has been recorded in the third phase of assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, the poll body said on Wednesday.
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In a statement, the approximate voter turnout of 69.65% has been recorded in 40 constituencies in the third phase.
“The same shall continue to be updated by the field level officers as the remaining polling parties keep returning and updated figures will be available AC and district wise live at Voter Turnout App,” the statement reads.
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According to figures, Bandipora recored 67.68 percent turnout, Baramulla recorded 61.03 percent, Jammu 71.40 percent, Kathua 73.34 percent, Kupwara 66.79 percent, Samba 75.88 and Udhampur recorded 76.09 percent turnout.
As Jammu and Kashmir approach the voting phase 3 and final phase of the 2024 Assembly Elections, 40 constituencies are set to vote on October 1, 2024. This pivotal phase will play a decisive role in shaping the future political landscape of the region. A total of 415 candidates are in the fray, vying for the voters’ support across seven districts.
Record Turnout Across Jammu and Kashmir Districts in voting Phase 3
The third phase saw an impressive voter turnout, with Udhampur leading the way at 72.91%, followed by Samba at 72.41%, and Kathua at 70.53%. Other districts recorded similarly strong participation, including Jammu at 66.79%, Bandipora at 64.85%, Kupwara at 62.76%, and Baramulla at 55.73%. The high voter engagement reflects the citizens’ commitment to strengthening democracy in the region.
Detailed Overview of Phase 3 Polling
The third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections covered 40 Assembly constituencies across seven districts. The phase saw the establishment of 5,060 polling stations to accommodate voters. A total of 415 candidates—387 men and 28 women—contested in this phase. The seven districts included in this phase were Bandipora, Baramulla, Jammu, Kathua, Kupwara, Samba, and Udhampur.
The voter participation in Phase 3 was notably higher than the previous phases, which recorded turnout rates of 61.38% in Phase 1 and 57.31% in Phase 2. This progressive increase in participation across the phases demonstrates the growing enthusiasm and engagement of the electorate.
Voter turnout in the first two phases of the ongoing Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed that of the Lok Sabha elections. In Phase 1, seven districts recorded a 61.38% turnout compared to 60% in the general elections. Similarly, Phase 2 saw six districts achieve a 57.31% turnout, higher than the 52.17% recorded in the Lok Sabha polls. These Assembly elections, the first since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019, follow a decade-long gap. After delimitation, the number of Assembly seats increased from 83 to 90, excluding those assigned to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
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The third and final phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday saw a turnout of 65.48 per cent till 5 pm, which is likely to surpass the Lok Sabha poll turnout in the corresponding seven districts, according to latest data available.
Latest Update| J&K Assembly Voting Phase 3|65.48% Polling Recorded In All 40 Assembly Constituencies Till 5 PM
With polling for 3nd and final Phase of General Elections to J&K Legislative Assembly receiving huge momentum, all polling stations of 40 Assembly Constituencies across seven districts of Jammu & Kashmir have recorded an impressive 65.48 per cent voter turnout till 5 pm communicated the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.
Udhampur records highest turnout of 72.91%
Udhampur district recorded the highest turnout of 72.91%, followed by Samba (72.41%), Kathua (70.53%), Jammu (66.79%), Bandipora (63.33%), Kupwara (62.76%), and Baramulla (55.73%).
Among the constituencies, Chhamb in Jammu district was leading with 77.35% polling recorded in the first 10 hours. Sopore segment, once a terrorist and separatist stronghold, recorded the lowest turnout of 41.44%, according to EC data.
J&K Records 28.12% Voter Turnout Till 11 AM
“With the polling gaining momentum with long queues of voters waiting eagerly to cast their ballot, all the 40 assembly constituencies across seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir have recorded 28.12 percent voter turnout till 11 am in the third phase of Assembly Elections”, communicated the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.
Udhampur district recorded the highest turnout of 33.84 per cent, followed by 31.78 per cent in Kathua, 31.50 per cent in Samba, 28.04 per cent in Bandipora, 27.34 per cent in Kupwara, 27.15 per cent in Jammu and 23.20 per cent in Baramulla.
Over 11.6% Voter Turnout Recorded Upto 9:00 AM
“The overall poll percentage of 11.06 was recorded upto 9:00 AM in all 40 assembly constituencies across seven districts of J&K”, communicated the office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.
11.60% voter turnout recorded till 9 am in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
In preparation for this critical phase, authorities have set up 5,060 polling stations and an additional 240 special polling stations to ensure smooth and accessible voting for all eligible citizens.
This final phase is expected to be highly competitive, as the region’s political future hinges on the outcome of these elections.
Authorities have ensured comprehensive arrangements for smooth, transparent, and efficient voting. Here’s a breakdown of key statistics, constituencies, and candidates participating in this significant electoral phase.
The intense campaigning for the third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election concluded on Sunday evening, with major political parties, particularly the BJP, Congress, NC and PDP, engaging in fierce exchanges over critical issues, including Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism and reservation.
Voter Demographics for Phase 3 of the JK Assembly Elections 2024
A total of 3,918,220 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this voting phase 3. The voter base consists of 2,009,033 male voters, 1,909,130 female voters, and 57 third-gender voters. Among these, approximately 1.94 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19, 35,860 persons with disabilities (PwDs), and 32,953 elderly voters above 85 years will participate.
Polling Stations and Election Management
To accommodate the electorate, 5,060 polling stations have been established across the seven districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, and Jammu. Each polling station will be staffed with four election officials, including a presiding officer. More than 20,000 polling staff will be on duty to ensure a seamless voting experience.
The polling hours are set from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and voters in the queue at 6:00 PM will be allowed to cast their votes beyond the scheduled time. For Kashmiri migrant voters, 24 special polling stations have been set up, including 19 in Jammu, 4 in Delhi, and 1 in Udhampur.
Key Constituencies and Candidates in Phase 3
Voting Phase 3 covers 16 Assembly constituencies in the Kashmir Division, including Kupwara, Handwara, and Sopore, and 24 constituencies in the Jammu Division, including Udhampur, Kathua, and Jammu South. These constituencies are critical battlegrounds for the political parties.
Major Candidates to Watch
- Tara Chand (Congress), former Deputy Chief Minister, is contesting from Chhamb, while Mula Ram (Congress) and Sham Lal Sharma (BJP) battle in Jammu North.
- Raman Bhalla (Congress) is fighting against Narinder Singh Raina (BJP) for the RS Pura-Jammu South seat.
- Devender Singh Rana (BJP) is a high-profile candidate in the Nagrota constituency, going up against Joginder Singh (NC) and Balbir Singh (Congress).
- Choudhary Lal Singh (Congress) and Darshan Singh (BJP) are key contenders for the Basohli seat.
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Notable Political Shifts and Rebel Candidates
Both the BJP and Congress are dealing with internal dissensions, as several leaders have chosen to run as independents after being denied party tickets. Notable rebel candidates include:
- Pawan Khajuria (Udhampur East), running as an independent after losing the BJP ticket.
- Shivdev Singh (Jammu North), also contesting as an independent.
- Satish Sharma (Chhamb), contesting independently after being overlooked by Congress.
The political atmosphere is charged as both parties have suspended or expelled these rebels, making the final phase even more unpredictable.
The Four-Cornered Battle in Key Constituencies
A fierce contest is brewing in high-profile constituencies, with Chhamb being a standout, where Tara Chand (Congress), Rajeev Sharma (BJP), and two rebel candidates, Satish Sharma and Narinder Singh Bhau, are vying for dominance.
In Akhnoor, a battle is unfolding between Mohan Lal Bhagat (BJP) and Ashok Kumar Bhagat (Congress). Meanwhile, RS Pura-Jammu South is witnessing a heavyweight contest between Narinder Singh Raina (BJP) and Raman Bhalla (Congress), making this phase critical for both parties.
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Voter Statistics by Key Constituencies
Kupwara District
Kupwara is one of the key districts in this phase with 540,483 total registered voters, comprising 270,776 males, 269,697 females, and 10 third-gender voters. The district includes six constituencies: Karnah, Trehgam, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, and Langate.
- Karnah: 57,951 voters (29,194 males, 28,755 females, 2 third-gender).
- Trehgam: 78,569 voters (39,000 males, 39,569 females).
- Kupwara: 94,956 voters (47,181 males, 47,772 females, 3 third-gender).
- Lolab: 90,392 voters (45,319 males, 45,073 females).
- Handwara: 98,404 voters (50,026 males, 48,376 females, 2 third-gender).
- Langate: 120,211 voters (60,056 males, 60,152 females, 3 third-gender).
Baramulla District
Baramulla is another significant district, featuring competitive contests in constituencies like Sopore, Uri, and Pattan. With 540,483 registered voters, this district will play a pivotal role in the outcome of the elections.
- Sopore: 112,793 voters (55,990 males, 56,803 females).
- Uri: 104,813 voters (53,872 males, 50,941 females).
- Pattan: 103,161 voters (51,251 males, 51,908 females).
Bandipora Assembly Elections 2024
Bandipora is a crucial constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, witnessing a fierce political battle. Key contenders include Nizamuddin Bhat from the Indian National Congress (INC), Syed Tajamul Islam from the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP), and Naseer Ahmad Lone from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The outcome in this district is expected to significantly influence the overall election results.
Voter Demographics:
- Sonawari: Male 61,370, Female 59,589, TG 4, Total 120,963
- Bandipora: Male 59,344, Female 56,626, TG 2, Total 115,972
- Gurez (ST): Male 11,647, Female 10,484, TG 0, Total 22,131
Udhampur Assembly Elections 2024
The Udhampur district is set for a heated contest, as the BJP, Congress, and JKNPP face off in the third phase of the elections, scheduled for October 1. Four key constituencies – Udhampur West, Udhampur East, Chenani, and Ramnagar (SC) – are under the spotlight. In Udhampur West, BJP’s Pawan Kumar Gupta is looking to secure his family’s political stronghold. Meanwhile, R S Pathania of the BJP is up against independent candidates Pawan Khajuria and Balwan Singh in Udhampur East.
Voter Demographics:
- Udhampur West: Male 59,726, Female 55,929, TG 0, Total 115,655
- Udhampur East: Male 52,611, Female 48,079, TG 0, Total 100,690
- Chenani: Male 57,746, Female 51,428, TG 0, Total 109,174
- Ramnagar (SC): Male 51,179, Female 45,600, TG 0, Total 96,779
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Kathua Assembly Elections 2024
The Kathua Assembly constituency is witnessing a tightly contested race, with key political parties such as BJP, Congress, National Conference (NC), and JKPDP vying for dominance. Dr. Bharat Bhushan from BJP, Subhash Chander Azad from NC, and Sudesh Kumar from PDP are the prominent candidates contesting for the Kathua seat.
Voter Demographics:
- Bani: Male 30,751, Female 27,247, TG 1, Total 57,999
- Billawar: Male 49,500, Female 45,151, TG 0, Total 94,651
- Basohli: Male 36,343, Female 32,937, TG 2, Total 69,282
- Jasrota: Male 45,355, Female 41,398, TG 0, Total 86,753
- Kathua (SC): Male 57,090, Female 51,576, TG 0, Total 108,666
- Hiranagar: Male 45,781, Female 42,158, TG 0, Total 87,939
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Samba Assembly Elections 2024
The Samba (General) constituency is hosting a fierce battle among 14 candidates in the 2024 elections. Key contenders include Surjit Singh Slathia from BJP, Baldev Raj from BSP, Bhanu Partap Singh as an Independent, Krishan Dev Singh from Congress, Lovely Mangol from JKAP, and Rajinder Singh from PDP.
Voter Demographics:
- Ramgarh (SC): Male 45,302, Female 43,295, TG 0, Total 88,597
- Samba: Male 46,694, Female 44,386, TG 0, Total 91,080
- Vijaypur: Male 41,398, Female 39,137, TG 1, Total 80,536
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Jammu Assembly Elections 2024
The Jammu Assembly is a key battleground in the 2024 elections, featuring a mix of prominent politicians and a fierce multi-way battle. Tara Chand, former Deputy Chief Minister, is representing Congress in Chhamb, competing against BJP’s Rajeev Sharma and two independent candidates. In R.S. Pura-Jammu South, Congress working president Raman Bhalla is facing stiff competition. Additionally, Sham Lal Sharma of the BJP and Ajay Sadhotra from NC are battling it out in Jammu North.
Voter Demographics:
- Bishnah (SC): Male 63,296, Female 56,485, TG 1, Total 119,782
- Suchetgarh (SC): Male 59,432, Female 53,385, TG 2, Total 112,819
- R.S. Pura-Jammu South: Male 66,823, Female 62,266, TG 3, Total 129,092
- Bahu: Male 61,749, Female 58,935, TG 9, Total 120,693
- Jammu East: Male 53,869, Female 53,005, TG 3, Total 106,877
- Nagrota: Male 49,557, Female 46,016, TG 0, Total 95,573
- Jammu West: Male 53,616, Female 52,236, TG 0, Total 105,852
- Jammu North: Male 56,952, Female 54,274, TG 2, Total 111,228
- Marh (SC): Male 48,522, Female 44,777, TG 1, Total 93,300
- Akhnoor (SC): Male 48,903, Female 46,360, TG 2, Total 95,265
- Chhamb: Male 54,138, Female 51,534, TG 0, Total 105,672
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As the 2024 JK Assembly Elections enter the final phase, the political stakes have never been higher. Key constituencies in both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions will decide the region’s political future, with heavyweight candidates and rebel contenders adding complexity to the mix. With over 5 million voters participating across 40 constituencies, this election promises to be one of the most crucial in recent history. Stay tuned for real-time updates as Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape continues to evolve.
Anticipation Builds as Results Are Scheduled for October 8
With the voting process now complete, all eyes are on October 8, 2024, when the votes will be counted and the election results will be announced. The results of this election are expected to have a profound impact on the future political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
