High Turnout in J&K Assembly Elections

The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on September 18, 2024, saw a high voter turnout of 58.85%, with significant participation in militancy-affected areas of the Kashmir valley. Kishtwar recorded the highest turnout at 77%, while Pulwama had the lowest at 46%. This election is the first in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the first in a decade. Despite the high turnout, female representation remains low, with only 40 women among the 873 candidates. The election marks a crucial political milestone, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aiming to solidify its influence in the region.