SRINAGAR: In a historic moment for democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), P. K. Pole, extended his gratitude to all voters for their enthusiastic participation in the Srinagar Lok Sabha elections. With the highest turnout witnessed in three decades, this election marks a significant milestone for the region.
CEO P. K. Pole expressed appreciation for the incident-free polling process, highlighting the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed throughout the election. He commended the active engagement of the electorate, attributing the robust turnout to the concerted efforts of candidates in mobilising voters.
Comparing the turnout percentages over the years, CEO P. K. Pole noted that since 1989, this election ranks as the second-highest in terms of voter participation. The statistics reveal a notable increase in voter engagement compared to previous elections.
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Voter engagement in Jammu and Kashmir’s Lok Sabha elections has seen significant fluctuations over the years. In 1996, the region experienced its highest turnout at 40.94%. However, this figure saw a decline in subsequent elections, dropping to 30% in 1998 and further to 11.90% in 1999. The early 2000s witnessed a moderate increase, with 18.57% in 2004 and a more substantial turnout in 2009 at 25.55%. The engagement continued to rise in 2014, reaching 25.86%, but then there was a notable dip in 2019, with only 14.42% of voters participating. These statistics highlight the varying degrees of voter participation in the region’s political process over the past few decades.
Furthermore, CEO P. K. Pole emphasised that this election witnessed no instances of stone-pelting or poll boycott, underscoring the peaceful conduct of the electoral process.
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Responding to allegations raised by political parties regarding the detention of workers, CEO P. K. Pole addressed the complex socio-political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir’s history. He explained that to ensure the integrity of free and fair elections, certain preventive measures are undertaken. In particular, individuals with a history of anti-national activities or any association with overground workers (OGWs) are subject to police custody as a precautionary measure.