Jammu and Kashmir Elections Conclude Peacefully

The first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in a decade concluded peacefully with a high voter turnout of approximately 69% in the final phase held on October 1, 2024. The elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, saw participation from historically disenfranchised communities like the West Pakistani Refugees, Valmiki Samaj, and Gorkha community. Notable districts like Chhamb and Gurez recorded turnouts of 77% and 76% respectively, with overall increases in voter engagement in areas previously known for boycotts. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar highlighted the elections as a significant deepening of democracy in the region. The votes, covering 40 constituencies in the final phase and totaling 90 across all phases, will be counted on October 8. Key political figures and former ministers were among the 415 candidates contending in these historic elections.