Historic 30-point rise in Kashmir Valley voter turnout compared to 2019: CEC
High GE 2024 turnout in J&K signals positive for Assembly Polls
Srinagar, May 27: In a monumental stride for India’s electoral polity, Jammu and Kashmir recorded its highest voter turnout in 35 years during the General Elections 2024. The combined voter turnout (VTR) for the entire Union Territory (comprising five LokSabha seats) reached an impressive 58.46%. This remarkable participation is a testament to the robust democratic spirit and civic engagement of the people in the region.
The Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, expressed gratitude to polling personnel and security officials for the peaceful conduct of elections in the UT.
CEC Rajiv Kumar lauded the voters of J&K, emphasising the significant increase in electoral participation and the enhanced citizen involvement, as evidenced by the 25% rise in the number of contesting candidates since 2019, a surge in C-vigil complaints, and 2,455 requests for rallies via the Suvidha Portal.
“This achievement reflects a deep and steady engagement with the electoral process, reminiscent of the intricate and renowned Kashmiri artisanal weave,” said CEC Kumar. “The active participation is a promising indicator for the upcoming Assembly elections, ensuring that the democratic process continues to thrive in the Union Territory.”
The UT of Jammu and Kashmir encompasses five Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs): Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag-Rajouri, Udhampur, and Jammu. Notably, the voter turnout in the three Kashmir Valley PCs reached 50.86%, a substantial increase from the 19.16% recorded in the 2019 General Elections. Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri registered VTRs of 38.49%, 59.1%, and 54.84% respectively, marking the highest turnout in three decades. Udhampur and Jammu recorded voter turnouts of 68.27% and 72.22% respectively.
The unprecedented voter turnout was driven by the tireless efforts of election and security officials who worked diligently to empower the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth. The high participation rate among electors aged 18-59 years underscores their renewed faith in democracy—a heartening development for the region.
The Election Commission also facilitated voting for Kashmiri migrant voters residing in relief camps across Delhi, Jammu, and Udhampur, offering the options of voting in person at designated special polling stations or using postal ballots. Twenty-one special polling stations were set up in Jammu, one in Udhampur, and four in Delhi.
Ladakh, which was constituted as a separate Union Territory in 2019, also saw enthusiastic voter participation with a VTR of 71.82%.
In a bid to boost voter awareness and engagement, the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in J&K organized a series of activities under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program. These included adventure sports events, symposiums, awareness rallies, street plays (nukkadnatak), and various cultural events aimed at promoting the importance of voting. Unique initiatives such as creating igloos as dummy polling stations in Baramulla, a para-scooter event in Kathua, and sensitization efforts during the Beating Retreat ceremony on the Suchetgarh border were part of these extensive outreach efforts.
The vibrant and widespread voter engagement, celebrated through musical programs and activities across the UT—from LalChowk to Gulmarg, Kulgam, and Anantnag—symbolizes the rejuvenation of democracy and the triumph of the ballot in Jammu and Kashmir. The historic voter turnout marks a significant milestone in the democratic journey of the Union Territory.
