Srinagar, May 25 : The Anantnag-Rajouri constituency in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a remarkable surge in voter participation, achieving an overall turnout of 53 percent, according to the latest update from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
This marked a dramatic increase from the 9.7 percent turnout in 2019.
The Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency had recorded this impressive turnout, reflecting significant voter engagement.
The Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency was formed in 1967. However, the Delimitation Commission reconstituted it as Anantnag-Rajouri constituency in 2022, incorporating most parts of Rajouri and Poonch districts while excluding parts of Pulwama and Shopian.
Officials said that polling in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency concluded peacefully on Saturday, marking a significant milestone with a record turnout.
The last phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir also witnessed enthusiastic participation from the electorate.
J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer, P.K. Pole praised the voters’ enthusiasm, stating, “Voters have participated enthusiastically in today’s polling.”
News agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) reported that polling stations opened at 7 AM and closed at 6 PM without any incidents disrupting the process.
The high voter turnout was evident from the long queues that formed early in the morning and persisted throughout the day. The peaceful atmosphere and smooth voting process were attributed to the diligent efforts of the Election Commission and security forces.
This election was pivotal, sealing the fate of 20 candidates, including prominent figures such as People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Mian Altaf Ahmad, in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
The constituency, comprising five districts—Kulgam, Anantnag, Poonch, Shopian (Zainapora), and Rajouri—has a diverse electorate of 18.36 lakh voters. This includes 9,33,647 male voters, 9,02,902 female voters, 27 third-gender voters, approximately 17,967 persons with disabilities, and 540 centenarians.
A total of 2,338 polling stations were established across the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, each manned by four election personnel, including a Presiding Officer. Over 9,000 polling staff, including reserves, were mobilized to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
Given the strategic importance of the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, extensive security measures were implemented.
The election, originally scheduled for May 7, was postponed to May 25 at the request of the BJP and other parties to accommodate better security and logistical arrangements.
In 2019, the Anantnag constituency witnessed a dismal turnout 0f 9.8 percent, reflecting the volatile situation at the time.
However, this year’s election saw a marked improvement, mirroring the higher participation rates observed in Srinagar and Baramulla Lok Sabha seats.
The authorities had managed an extensive electioneering campaign, approving 1,920 of the 2,200 applications from candidates and political parties for rallies, roadshows, and meetings, while rejecting 303 applications on various grounds.
The Election Commission also implemented several inclusive measures: seventeen polling booths were managed entirely by women, fifteen by differently-abled individuals, and eight by young volunteers. Additionally, fifteen ‘green’ polling stations were established to promote environmental awareness.
To ensure transparency and security, several polling stations were equipped with CCTV cameras for live webcasting to control rooms at the district and CEO offices, ensuring voter privacy was maintained.
In a testament to the improved security situation, voters in the border villages of Poonch and Rajouri cast their votes peacefully, free from the fear of cross-border shelling that has plagued the region in the past.
This peaceful and well-attended polling day marks a hopeful chapter for Anantnag and its surrounding areas, reflecting the residents’ determination to participate in the democratic process. The results, eagerly awaited, will be a crucial indicator of the political landscape in this reconstituted constituency.(KNS)
