"Unexpected voter turnout, JK touching new heights": State BJP President Ravinder Raina

Jammu, Oct 01: State BJP President and candidate from Nowshera Assembly seat Ravinder Raina said that a large number of people are voting in the last phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and voting percentage has been unexpected.

Ravinder Raina said, "A large number of people are voting in the last phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have participated wholeheartedly in this festival of democracy. These elections have been conducted very well. Polling percentage has been unexpected. This shows J&K is touching new heights and giving its contribution in strengthening new India. I would like to congratulate the security foces and EC for conducting the polls successfully."

Former Deputy CM of J&K and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta was confident of BJP coming to power

"Elections are taking place in Jammu and Kashmir after 10 years and there is enthusiasm among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Today, people have shown their gratitude towards democracy and have expressed their faith in it, so I am sure that the government that will be formed will be in favour of democracy and in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party," he said.

According to the latest data issued by Election Commission of India (ECI), Jammu and Kashmir recorded 11.60 per cent voting in the initial voter turnout trend till 9 am on Tuesday.

Of the seven districts, Udhampur district is leading in the voter turnout chart with 14.23 per cent voting, followed by Samba at 13.31 per cent, Kathua at 13.09 per cent, Bandipore 11.64 per cent, Jammu at 11.46 per cent, Kupwara at 11.27 per cent and Baramulla at 8.89 per cent till 9 am.

The polls began at 7 am on Tuesday and will conclude at 6 pm. Voting will take place in 24 constituencies in the Jammu division and 16 constituencies in Kashmir amid strong security to ensure smooth and peaceful polls.

The intensive campaign for the third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded on Sunday evening.

This election is notable as the first in a decade and the first since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.

The three-phase election involves a multi-party contest for the 90 seats across the former state. The National Conference (NC) and the Congress have formed an alliance for these elections, while the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are among the other major contenders.

The first phase of voting took place on September 18, and the second phase concluded on September 25.

According to the Election Commission of India, the first and second phases of polling recorded voter turnouts of 61 per cent and 57.31 per cent, respectively. The counting of the votes will be done on October 8.