• 100 contestants’ fates sealed in 5 Parliamentary battles
• Multi-tier security arrangements in place: IGPKashmir
• Union Minister, two former CMs, senior leaders in fray
• Agents of pol. parties instructed to adhere to ECI’s guidelines
Srinagar, June 03: The LokSabha election 2024 results are set to be declared tomorrow, June 4. The counting of votes across 543 LokSabha constituencies by the Election Commission will begin at 8 am. Citizens across India eagerly await the outcome of the LokSabha elections 2024 that will determine the formation of the next government at the Centre.
Similarly, in Jammu and Kashmir, counting of votes for five parliamentary seats will be conducted amidst stringent security arrangements. With the fate of 100 candidates hanging in the balance, the vote counting process will commence at 8 am in the respective parliamentary constituencies, with meticulous arrangements made by concerned departments in the Union Territory.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K, PK Pole, affirmed that all necessary preparations have been made, including the secure transfer of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to designated strong rooms. “Comprehensive security measures, including three-tier security setups, have been implemented to ensure the smooth conduct of the counting process,” stated Pole.
Security remains paramount, with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V.K. Birdi, affirming comprehensive security plans at counting centers. “Our strategy is geared towards maintaining law and order,” stated IGP Birdi, stressing the importance of public cooperation in upholding peace.
Birdiassured that security grids and district-level forces will remain on high alert and vigilant throughout the proceedings.
Reflecting on the peaceful polling period, IGP Birdi attributed the absence of incidents to meticulous planning and professional execution by the security forces. “The plan, executed in cooperation with other security agencies, ensured a violence-free polling process,” he stated.
He also emphasized the crucial role of public cooperation in maintaining peace during the polls. “Democracy thrives on the participation of the people. Their cooperation is essential in addressing policing-related issues. When the public cooperates, it becomes easier for us to maintain order and security,” he added.
For the Srinagar Parliament Constituency, counting will take place at SKICC-Centaur, with stringent surveillance and security measures ensuring transparency and accuracy. The process will strictly adhere to Election Commission guidelines, with no mobile phones allowed inside the counting room except for the observer and returning officer.
The counting of votes will decide fate of 100 candidates, including senior BJP leader and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, BJP two-time MP Jugal Sharma, and two former Chief Ministers, Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) and Mehbooba Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Other prominent figures include former Ministers Raman Bhalla and ChoudharyLal Singh of Congress, GM Saroori of DPAP, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and MianAltaf of NC, Ashraf Mir of the Apni Party, and Sajjad Lone of the Peoples Conference. Former MLA Engineer Rashid is campaigning from Tihar Jail.
The Union Territory witnessed a Combined Voter Turnout (VTR) of 58.46 percent across five LokSabha seats, marking the highest poll participation in the last 35 years.
The voter turnout in the Kashmir Valley’s three parliamentary constituencies surged to 50.86 percent, a significant increase from the 19.16 percent in the 2019 general elections. Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri recorded VTRs of 38.49 percent, 59.1 percent, and 54.84 percent respectively, the highest in three decades. In the Jammu region, Udhampur and Jammu constituencies recorded turnouts of 68.27 percent and 72.22 percent respectively.
In the Udhampur constituency, where Union Minister Dr.Jitendra Singh seeks a third consecutive term, vote counting will take place at Government Degree College, Kathua. Singh faces 11 other candidates, including Lal Singh and GM Saroori, with seven independents in the race.
Baramulla constituency’s votes will be counted at Government Degree College (Boys), Baramulla. Omar Abdullah faces 21 candidates, including Lone and Rashid, with 14 independents in the contest, two of whom are women.
In the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, divided by the PirPanjal range, vote counting will occur at Government Degree College (Boys), Anantnag, and Government PG College, Rajouri. Mehbooba Mufti is contesting against NC’s MianAltaf, 10 independents, and other candidates, including BJP-supported Apni Party’s ZaffarManhas.
Srinagar Parliamentary constituency, with the highest number of 24 candidates, including 16 independents, will have its votes counted at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC) along Dal Lake. Key candidates include NC’s Ruhullah, Mir of Apni Party, and PDP youth leader Waheed Para.
Jammu constituency votes will be counted at Government Polytechnic College and Government MAM College. BJP’s Jugal Kishore aims for a hat-trick of wins, facing 21 other candidates, including Congress’ Raman Bhalla.
Counting of Kashmiri migrant votes will take place at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Udhampur, and J&K House, New Delhi.
Traffic restrictions for smooth vote counting in Jammu City
In preparation for the counting of votes for the Jammu Parliamentary Constituency, the Traffic Police has announced a series of restrictions on vehicle movement to ensure a smooth process for officials and the general public. These restrictions will be in effect tomorrow around key areas in the city.
The affected routes include BikramChowk-Jammu to Asia Crossing, and Police Headquarter (PHQ) Rotary to BikramChowk to MAM College. The counting of votes will take place at Government Polytechnic College for Boys BikramChowk/MAM College Jammu and Government Women College Gandhi Nagar Jammu.
These traffic restrictions have been imposed to facilitate officials on duty, provide adequate parking, and ensure smooth traffic regulation. As a result, there will be no routine traffic or PSV movements on the specified routes.
Only vehicles belonging to ROs, AROs, observers, territorial officers, and candidates with valid identity cards will be allowed to pass through the designated cut-off points towards their respective counting centers.
Diversion Details: Vehicles from Narwal/Railway Station heading towards DograChowk will be diverted from B.R AmbedkarChowk towards Asia Crossing. Narwal/Railway Station bound vehicles should use Gujjar Nagar Bridge to reach their destination.
– Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Trikuta Nagar, Samba, and Kathua bound vehicles will be diverted via Fly-Over from BikramChowk.
For any traffic-related assistance, the Traffic Police has provided the following contact numbers: 0191-2459048, 94191-47732, 0191-2740550.
Residents and commuters are advised to plan their travel accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.
RO reviews vote counting preparedness with candidates
In a crucial meeting held on Monday, Returning Officer for 5-Jammu Parliamentary Constituency, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, convened with candidates contesting the LokSabha election and their agents to discuss the final preparations and protocols for the vote counting process.
The meeting, which took place in anticipation of the vote counting scheduled for June 4 at Government Polytechnic College BikramChowk and MAM College Jammu, also saw the presence of SSP Dr.Vinod Kumar, who outlined the security-related guidelines and protocols to ensure a smooth and hassle-free counting day for the candidates and their agents.
Key officials, including ADDC Sher Singh and Deputy District Election Officer Rameshwar Kumar, were also in attendance. During the session, the Returning Officer delivered a detailed presentation covering the preparations and protocols for the counting process, emphasizing parking and security arrangements. He clarified areas where mobile phone usage would be prohibited and other necessary arrangements for the candidates.
The RO underscored the enforcement of Section 144 and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on counting day, explicitly prohibiting any violations. Additionally, celebratory processions will not be permitted without prior approval from the District Election Officer (DEO), and the bursting of crackers within the Counting Centre premises will be strictly banned.
Candidates and their agents were urged to adhere to the established protocols to ensure a smooth and orderly counting process.
