J&K poll percentage reaches 63.45% across three phases

Kashmiri Pandits record over 30% turnout in final phase

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

JAMMU: After the conclusion of all three phases of voting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the poll percentage was recorded at about 63.45 per cent, higher than the turnout in the recently held Lok Sabha elections in the Union Territory.

A voter turnout of 69.65 per cent was recorded in the third and final phase of voting for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election on Tuesday, according to the Election Commission of India. About 3.9 million people were eligible to vote in the final phase.

The conclusion of all three phases of polling also marked a significant electoral milestone in terms of turnout as well as a generally peaceful atmosphere in both regions - Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.

These were the first Assembly polls in the border territory of Jammu and Kashmir in 10 years. This was also the first Assembly election in the UT after the abrogation of special status under Article 370 in August 2019.

This also marks a historic moment of "first-time voting" for three communities - West Pakistan Refugees, Valmikis, and Gurkhas - who have long lacked voting rights and political representation in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for the past 75 years.

Udhampur district, which has four Assembly segments, registered the highest voter turnout of 76.09 per cent, followed by Samba district, which has three Assembly segments.

Kathua district (six segments) polled 73.34 per cent, followed by Jammu (11 segments) with 71.40 per cent, Bandipora (three segments) with 67.68 per cent, Kupwara (six segments) with 66.79 per cent, and Baramulla district (seven segments) with the lowest at 61.03 per cent.