Surankote records highest turnout at 68%, Kulgam at 32
Srinagar: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, P.K. Pole announced on Saturday that the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency recorded a remarkable 53% voter turnout, marking the highest participation since 1984.
With a total of 18.36 lakh registered voters in the Anantnag-Rajouri LS seat, the overall voter turnout across all five phases of the Lok Sabha elections in the J&K UT reached an impressive 58%. This figure surpasses the previous records of 49.58% in 2014 and 47.99% in 1996.
Expressing gratitude to various stakeholders, including voters, polling staff, security personnel, and candidates, CEO Pole credited their collective efforts for the success of the electoral process. He highlighted the significance of this achievement, emphasizing the voters’ role in setting new records.
This substantial increase in turnout from a mere 9% in 2019 reflects a positive trend. Notably, Surankote recorded the highest turnout at 68%, while Kulgam and Anantnag reported lower participation rates of 32% and 33%, respectively. Moreover, migrant polling booths saw over 50% turnout, with 9,000 postal ballots cast.
In order to facilitate the voting process, a total of 9,000 polling staff were deployed across the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency. The voter turnout percentages for other constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir were as follows: Baramulla at 59.10%, Srinagar at 39%, Udhampur at 68%, and Jammu at 72.22%.
The commencement of voting at 7 a.m. on Saturday in the newly delimited Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat was accompanied by stringent security measures. The Election Commission had implemented robust arrangements, including satellite phones and special equipment at polling stations, to counter potential threats and contingencies.
Despite significant security challenges, including recent militancy related incidents in the Rajouri-Poonch area, election officials assured that comprehensive measures had been taken to ensure free, fair, and peaceful voting. The constituency comprised 18 assembly segments, with 2,338 polling stations established to accommodate the large number of voters. Of the 542 polling stations in Rajouri district, 278 were categorized as sensitive, with 45 polling stations located within direct firing range from across the Line of Control (LoC). Similarly, in Poonch district, 55 out of 171 polling stations were situated along the LoC. To safeguard voters in critical areas, the district administration had devised contingency plans.
Adding to the historic turnout, the campaigning in Anantnag PC remained violence-free, witnessing unprecedented participation from voters. Additionally, more than 26,000 Kashmiri migrant electors in PC opted for voting at 26 Special Polling Stations set up in Jammu (21), Udhampur (01), and Delhi (04). These special polling stations reported a significant turnout, with 40% in Jammu, approximately 50% in Udhampur, and an impressive 53% in Delhi. This marked the first time the migrant community turned out in such large numbers to vote.
In a message, the CEO of J&K congratulated all voters and expressed gratitude towards those who came out in large numbers to cast their votes. He also commended the efforts of all polling personnel, including security personnel, police officers, AROs, ROs, and District Election Officers, for their dedication in ensuring the success of the ongoing elections.
Pole said that this remarkable participation marks a new era of peace and civic engagement in these districts. This year’s elections were conducted without any boycott calls or intimidation, showcasing the voters’ unwavering belief in the power of the ballot.
“Not a single polling station reported zero votes, a testament to the widespread enthusiasm and commitment to the democratic process. Corresponding percentage for the last Loksabha election in 2019 was 9.70 %. Voters participated with lots of enthusiasm,” he said.
The CEO said if we compare 18th Loksabha election voter turnout with earlier voter turnout, especially of the last 35 years (period of militancy), it is the highest. Last highest voter turnout was 49.58 % in 2014. This year’s poll percentage is quite high compared to the earlier poll percentage.
Sr. No YEAR Voting %AGE
1 2024 58.00
2 2019 44.07
3 2014 49.58
4 2009 39.04
5 2004 34.07
6 1999 30.89
7 1998 43.35
8 1996 47.99
9 1989 29.93
Sr No Assembly segment Poll % at 5.00 PM
(tentative) Close of Poll
(tentative)
1 Zainpora 39.40 % 40.00 %
2 D.H.Pora 55.00 % 55.00 %
3 Kulgam 31.99 % 32.00 %
4 Devsar 41.50 % 44.00 %
5 Dooru 45.21 % 46.00 %
6 Kokarnag 50.00 % 52.00 %
7 Anantnag West 34.65 % 36.09 %
8 Anantnag 31.21 % 33.48 %
9 Srigufwara Bijbehra 42.40 % 43.00 %
10 Shangus Anantnag East 41.94 % 43.00 %
11 Pahalgam 55.63 % 56.00 %
12 Nawshera 65.47 % 65.47 %
13 Rajouri 67.09 % 67.18 %
14 Budhal 64.91 % 67.00 %
15 Thanamandi 65.34 % 66.20 %
16 Surankote 62.95 % 68.36 %
17 Poonch Haveli 64.19 % 67.35 %
18 Mendhar 64.69 % 66.08 %
Total Poll on Polling Station 51.35 53.00 %
(Approx.)
Total Migrant Special PS Polling Approx. 39 % overall (at Udhampur 50 % and Delhi 53 % ) 40 %
Total Postal Votes received (Absentee, VFC and receive ETPBMS till date) votes 9761 (till date received)
