#BARAMULLA: The fifth phase of voting for General Elections to 18th Lok Sabha concluded peacefully here today with around 59 % voting in the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and Budgam districts partly.
“Fractional correction is expected in the percentage figure, as at some of the Polling Stations voting continued even after 6.00 pm and many polling parties are yet to reach Reception Center. This remarkable participation marks a new era of peace and civic engagement in these districts”, read a communique issued here today by the office of J&K Chief Electoral Officer, Pandurang K Pole.
This year’s elections were conducted without any boycott calls or intimidation, showcasing the voters’ unwavering belief in power of the ballot. Not a single polling station reported zero votes, which is a testament to the widespread enthusiasm and commitment to the democratic process. Corresponding percentage for last Lok Sabha election in 2019 was 37.41 %.
The highest ever poll percentage in Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, since the eruption of terrorism in Kashmir was recorded in year 1996 with 46.65% and in the history of Baramulla PC, highest poll percentage was (approx.) 61.09 % in year 1984. This year’s poll percentage is definitely second highest in democratic history of Baramulla PC and may likely to be highest, as final figures are yet to reach from remote areas and also two assembly segments– Budgam and Beerwah have been added in recent de-limitation, we can say it is highest for the Baramulla PC in today’s size.
The CEO has attributed this substantially increased record polling percentage to improved security – law and order environment in last 4-5 years, mobilization by 22 candidates and Political parties, election awareness done by Deputy Commissioners and CEO office through SVEEP activities and more importantly voters strong belief that it is the ballot which can lead to sustainable development (Aman, Tarraki aur Khush-hali).
The communique stated that the Polling took place in 2,103 polling stations across the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency with live webcasting at all the polling stations. Voting started at 7 a.m. across the PC with long queues of enthusiastic voters waiting to cast their votes. Demonstrating the spirit of democracy, the voters of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and Budgam showed up in record numbers to cast their votes in a significant show of faith in the Election Process. Since beginning of the poll at 7.00 AM, voters were seen standing in long queues at many polling stations across the all 4 districts. Elderlies, ladies, youths were seen enthusiastically exercising their right to vote in a peaceful environment.
Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, Pandurang. K. Pole monitored the progress of voting in Phase -V across the Parliamentary Constituency from the Union Territory-level Command and Control Center established at ICCC- HMT, Bemina and CEO Office, Srinagar.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Command and Control center has been working 24 x 7 at Srinagar as well as Jammu since 16 March to ensure free, fair, and inducement-free elections. Actual Poll started at 7.00 AM and after two hours of polling, 7.70%(it was without Sopore Assembly segment, as the AERO couldn’t upload it in time, however it was included in next two hourly reporting time at 11.00 am) polling was recorded in the constituency at 09:00 am; at 11.00 AM 21.56% of voting, at 01:00PM 35.08% voting; at 3:00 PM 45.22 % voting was recorded. By 5:00 pm 54.57% polling was recorded in the constituency. Assembly segment wise highest poll percentage was observed in Handwara with around 72.00 % and lowest in Guru with 40.82 %. At the time of closing of Polling, the Assembly Segment wise tentative voter turnout in Baramulla PC is as under:
