Srinagar: Pandurang K. Pole, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan on Thursday. He was accompanied by Pramod Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Election Commission of India; Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Special Secretary; and Anil Salgotra, Joint CEO of the Chief Electoral Office in J&K.
During the meeting, the team submitted a copy of the notification issued by the Election Commission of India, in accordance with Section 73 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. This notification includes the names of the Members elected to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir following the recent elections.
The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Pandurang Pole on the successful completion of the electoral process. He commended the efforts of the Election Officials, J&K Police, and security personnel for ensuring that the elections were conducted peacefully, transparently, and fairly.
Earlier Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole said that Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections of 2024 have concluded successfully, representing a significant moment in the Union Territory’s democratic process. This was the first assembly election since 2014, drawing considerable attention and participation from the public,”he said.
The record-breaking voter turnout has reaffirmed the public’s faith in democratic institutions, clearly demonstrating the unwavering belief in the power of the ballot.
The elections were conducted in three phases: 24 constituencies voted in the first phase, followed by 26 in the second, and 40 in the third. A total of 873 candidates contested for the opportunity to represent their communities in the 90-member Legislative Assembly. The robust voter turnout reflects a renewed enthusiasm for democratic engagement in the region.
The Chief Election Officer commended the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, expressing gratitude to the District Election Officers (DEOs), Field Surveillance Teams (FSTs), Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs), Vehicle Surveillance Teams (VSTs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVT) staff, and the more than 75,000 polling personnel. He particularly acknowledged the security personnel and, most importantly, the electorate for their role in this successful electoral process. “The successful conduct of these elections is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved and the commitment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the democratic process,” CEO Pole added. Election authorities implemented adequate measures to ensure security and facilitate a smooth voting process, addressing concerns that had previously affected voter turnout in the region.
