Vote Counting Underway in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections

On October 8, 2024, the vote counting process began for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. This marks the first such election since the abrogation of Article 370, which reclassified the region as a Union Territory. The counting commenced at 8 a.m. in various centers across the union territory, including Srinagar. According to Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole, the voter turnout was recorded at approximately 61%, which is the highest in the past seven elections held in the region.

The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir has seen significant changes over the past few years. The assembly elections are being closely monitored due to the complex political dynamics involved. An alliance between the Congress Party and the National Conference (NC) has posed a strong challenge, with projections indicating that the NC could potentially emerge as the single largest party. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accused by Congress of attempting to manipulate the electoral process, a claim that is fueling political tensions.

These elections, conducted over three phases, are crucial due to the geopolitical significance of Jammu and Kashmir. Voting for the final phase took place peacefully on October 1, 2024, according to the Election Commission. The initial stages of vote counting involved postal ballots, primarily used by security forces, select government officials, and other groups unable to vote in person. Following this, the counting of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) proceeded, a process that provides more definitive results.

Concurrently, the Haryana Assembly’s vote counting is also taking place, where the BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and other regional coalitions are vying for control over the 90-seat legislature. This parallel electoral battle is also under scrutiny, with exit polls providing a range of predictions. However, official results are anticipated later in the day to clarify the eventual victors in both regions.

As the day progresses, updates on both the Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana assembly elections will be provided, bringing clarity to the political future of these areas. The outcomes could potentially influence the regional and national political spheres considerably.