Baby Chakraborty: After a long decade, assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the first democracy festival after the repeal of Article 370. Wednesday was the first round of voting. And on the first day, the frenzy of the people was worth watching. According to Election Commission (ECI) data, 50.65 percent voting in Jammu and Kashmir till 3 pm. This rate is expected to increase by the end of the day. Even in the areas of Jammu and Kashmir where there is a tendency to attack militants, the enthusiasm for voting has been noticed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to vote on Wednesday morning.
He wrote on his X handle, “I call on all the constituencies to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy in the first phase of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.” Out of the total 90 assembly constituencies, voting is going on in the first phase of 24 on Wednesday. Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls in three phases till October 1. The result will be announced on October 8. Crowds of voters have been noticed in front of various booths since this morning. It is needless to say that the citizens of Bhuswarga responded to the Prime Minister’s call. Keeping in mind the series of terrorist attacks, the security measures have been strengthened at the booths. According to Election Commission data, the highest number of votes was cast in Kistwar (70.03%) till 3 pm. It is followed by Doda (61.90%) and Ramban (60.04%). Besides Anantnag (46.67%), Kulgam (50.57%), Shopian (46.84%), Pulwama (36.90%) polling rate is also good.
