All arrangements in place for vote count: CEO J&K

Srinagar, June 3: As Jammu and Kashmir braces for a crucial day Tuesday, all arrangements are meticulously set for the counting of votes for the five Lok Sabha constituencies.

This process will decide the fate of 100 candidates, including a Union Minister and two former chief ministers.

The counting is scheduled to begin at 8 am.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole assured that extensive measures had been implemented to ensure a seamless, secure, and transparent counting process.

“Stringent Police arrangements are in place to prevent any untoward incidents,” Pole said, emphasising J&K’s readiness.

Nine counting centers have been established across J&K’s five Lok Sabha constituencies.

Additionally, a center in Delhi will process votes cast by Kashmiri migrants from special polling stations in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri constituencies.

Among the prominent candidates are senior BJP leader and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, two-time BJP MP Jugal Sharma, and former chief ministers Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) and Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Other notable candidates include former ministers Raman Bhalla and Choudhary Lal Singh of Congress, Ghulam Muhammad Saroori of DPAP, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and Mian Altaf of NC, Ashraf Mir of the Apni Party, and Sajjad Lone of the Peoples Conference. Former MLA Engineer Rashid is also contesting from Tihar Jail.

Officials have confirmed that all necessary arrangements, including robust security measures and staff deployment, are in place at all counting centers.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Bilal Mohuiddin Bhat said that elaborate arrangements were ready for the counting at SKICC for the Srinagar constituency.

“A 3-tier security system is in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the process. Separate counting halls have been established for all 18 assembly segments. The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited inside the counting halls to maintain security and integrity,” he said.

In Jammu, District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya has imposed preventive restrictions under CrPC 144 within the premises of the counting center to forestall any potential law and order issues on the counting day.

The voter turnout across J&K was recorded at 58.46 percent, the highest in the last 35 years.

Kashmir witnessed a significant surge in voter participation, with a turnout of 50.86 percent, a dramatic increase from 19.16 percent in the 2019 general elections.

Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri registered voter turnouts of 38.49 percent, 59.1 percent, and 54.84 percent.

In the Jammu region, the Udhampur and Jammu constituencies reported turnouts of 68.27 percent and 72.22 percent.

For the Udhampur constituency, where Union Minister Jitendra Singh is seeking a third consecutive term, the vote counting will take place at Government Degree College, Kathua.

Other notable candidates include former MP Lal Singh and G M Saroori.

In Baramulla, the counting will take place at Government Degree College Boys, Baramulla, where Omar Abdullah faces 21 competitors, including Sajjad Lone and Engineer Rashid.

Anantnag-Rajouri’s votes will be counted at Government Degree College (Boys) Anantnag and Government PG College Rajouri, where Mehbooba Mufti faces a significant challenge from NC’s Mian Altaf.

In Srinagar, the constituency with the highest number of candidates - 24, the counting will occur at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC).

Strong candidates include NC’s Ruhullah, PDP’s Waheed Para, and Apni Party’s Ashraf Mir.

Jammu constituency’s counting, where BJP’s Jugal Kishore aims for a third term, will be conducted at Government Polytechnic College and Government MAM College.

Congress’s Raman Bhalla is among the 21 candidates in contention.

Political parties in J&K are anxiously awaiting the results, which will be announced on Tuesday.

This election saw the highest voter turnout in 35 years and involves key candidates, including two former chief ministers and several senior leaders.