For the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir is conducting its first Assembly elections, which began on Wednesday. The election is being held in three phases, starting from today, with voting continuing until October 1, and results set to be declared on October 8. This marks the first Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir since it was designated a Union Territory following the removal of its special status.
Key Points:
- First Elections Since 2014: Jammu and Kashmir is holding its first Assembly election since the last one in 2014, when it was still a full-fledged state. This election follows the central government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in August 2019.
- Voter Enthusiasm: Voters showed high enthusiasm, with 23 lakh voters participating across 3,276 polling booths, including 35,000 Kashmiri Pandits voting in the region. Polling also took place in Delhi for displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
- Phase-wise Voting: The election is being held in three phases, with Wednesday marking the first phase across 24 constituencies—8 in Jammu and 16 in Kashmir. The contest involves 219 candidates.
- Total Seats and Contest: Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly has a total of 114 seats, but 24 seats are reserved for areas under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), leaving 90 seats up for contest. A party needs 46 seats to form the government.
- Speculation of Hung Assembly: Political experts predict a hung assembly with no clear majority, which could lead to complex coalition negotiations.
- Festival-Like Atmosphere: The public mood is celebratory, with voters expressing excitement about participating in the democratic process after a decade-long gap.
This historic election is seen as a significant step towards re-establishing a democratic government in Jammu and Kashmir. The next few days will reveal whether any party can secure the magic number of 46 seats to form a government, or if a coalition will be needed to manage the region’s political future.