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Voters of Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar made history in this Lok Sabha Election. At 38 percent, it recorded the highest voting in 35 Years. The poll was held on Monday May 13 for the Srinagar Seat, in Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha Election 2024.
Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir P.K Pole said that this was the highest polling turnout in Srinagar Lok Sabha election since 1998. The previous percentages were: 2019 - 14.42%, 2009 - 25.55%, 1999 - 11.90%, 1998 - 30%. Peak turnout recorded in 1996 at 40.94%.
According to ‘Daily Excelsior’ Pole said that “not even a single polling booth witnessed zero percent polling in Srinagar parliamentary constituency”
“People voted in large numbers here. We are thankful to each and every person involved in making this democratic process a success,” said Pole while addressing media persons in Srinagar. He told the media that there were 2135 polling stations covering 18 Assembly constituencies.
There were “over 8500 civil employees, along with police and CRPF personnel, double that number, who worked tirelessly over the past two days to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.
We had special arrangements in place for females and aged persons, with every polling station under CCTV surveillance,” Pole said.
According to reports 26 special polling stations were also set up for migrants, and “over six thousand migrant voters cast their ballots.
Pole told the media about ‘preventive measures’, saying they were taken “only in cases where individuals had a criminal background or anti-national history, ensuring that polling stations remained incident-free.”
In the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency there is a three-pronged contest between Aga Ruhullah Mehdi of the National Conference (NC), Waheed Para of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Ashraf Mirof J&K Apni Party. A total of 24 candidates are in the fray at this seat of the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is leading the Bharatiya Janata Party’s electoral campaign has claimed that this large voter turnout has been a result of the abrogation of Article 370.
“Would especially like to applaud the people of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency for the encouraging turnout, significantly better than before. The abrogation of Article 370 has enabled the potential and aspirations of the people to find full expression. Happening at the grassroots level, it is great for the people of J&K, in particular the youth,” Modi posted on Twitter.
The Citizen brings you some exclusive photos from the ground.
