Baramulla Makes History with Peaceful Poll: Breaks Barriers, Achieves 59% Turnout

Baramullah: May 20, KDC; The Fifth Phase of voting for General Elections to 18^th Lok Sabha concluded peacefully here today with around 59 % voting in the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipur and Budgam Districts partly. Fractional correction is expected in the percentage figure, at some of the Polling Stations voting continued even after 6.00 pm and many polling parties are yet to reach Reception Center. This remarkable participation marks a new era of peace and civic engagement in these districts. This year’s elections were conducted without any boycott calls or intimidation, showcasing the voters’ unwavering belief in the power of the ballot. Not a single polling station reported zero votes, a testament to the widespread enthusiasm and commitment to the democratic process. Corresponding percentage for last Loksabha election in 2019 was 37.41 %. Voters participated with lots of enthusiasm.

The highest ever poll percentage in Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, since the eruption of terrorism in Kashmir was recorded in year 1996 with 46.65 %. and in the history of Baramulla PC, highest poll percentage was (approx.) 61.09 % in year 1984. This year’s poll percentage is definitely second highest in democratic history of Baramulla PC and may be likely to be highest, as final figures are yet to reach from remote areas and also two assembly segments – Budgam and Beerwah have been added in recent de-limitation, we can say it is highest for the Baramulla PC in today’s size. Main reasons of increased record polling percentage are improved security – law and order environment in last 4-5 years, mobilization by 22 candidates and Political parties, election awareness done by Deputy Commissioners and  CEO office through SVEEP activities and more importantly voters strong belief that it is the Ballot which can lead to sustainable development (aman, tarraki aur khush-hali).

Polling took place in 2,103 polling stations across the Baramullah Parliamentary constituency with live webcasting at all the polling stations. Voting started at 7 a.m. across the PC with long queues of enthusiastic voters waiting to cast their votes.

Demonstrating the spirit of democracy the voters of Baramullah, Kupwara, Bandipur and Budgam showed up in record numbers to cast their votes in a significant show of faith in the Election Process. Since beginning of the poll at 7.00 AM, Voters were seen standing in long ques at many polling stations across the all 4 Districts. Elderlies, ladies, youths were seen enthusiastically exercising their right to vote in a peaceful environment.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir Sh. Pandurang. K. Pole (IAS) monitored the progress of voting in Phase -V across the Parliamentary constituency from the Union Territory-level Command and Control Center established at ICCC- HMT, Bemina and CEO Office, Srinagar. It is pertinent to mention here that the Command and Control center has been working 24 x 7 at Srinagar as well as Jammu since 16 March to ensure free, fair, and inducement-free elections.

Actual Poll started at 7.00 AM and after two hours of polling, 7.70 % (it was without Sopore Assembly segment, as the AERO couldn’t upload it in time, however it was included in next two hourly reporting time at 11.00 am) polling was recorded in the constituency at 09:00 am; at 11.00 AM -21.56% of voting, at 01:00 PM – 35.08% voting; at 3:00 PM – 45.22 % voting was recorded. By 5:00 pm, 54.57 % polling was recorded in the constituency. Assembly segment wise highest poll percentage was observed in Handwara with around 72.00 % and lowest in Gurez with 40.82 %.  At the time of Close of Poll tentative voter turnout Assembly Segment wise in the Baramullah PC is as under:

 These figures against each Assembly Segment are tentative as postal votes polled during home voting, through EDC, Postal ballot, ETPBs and Migrant votes polled at special polling stations are not added.   

Around 17,37, 865 lacs electors were enrolled for casting their vote. More than 8,000 polling staff has performed poll duty. Actual Poll continued till 6.00 pm and at few polling stations of Trehgam, till voting by last voter standing in que. At every polling station, basic minimum facilities of water, electricity, toilet, ramp, verandah/ waiting room etc were made.

Even wheelchairs and volunteers were provided as and when required. Effort was made to give better experience to voter. In many polling station premises, it was seen that even small kids were accompanying their parents and playing in the premises. Polling stations were full of festivity. During his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on 12 – 13 March, Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner Sh. Rajiv Kumar, had stressed to ensure inclusive election and effort was made ensure the same. Youths, especially first time voter, women, elderlies and specially abled persons were seen in large numbers at all PS and required basic facilities were provided at all polling stations.

Additionally, in order to ensure inclusive voting, 18 number of polling booths managed by women (also called as pink polling stations), 17 number of polling booths managed by specially abled persons and 18 number of polling stations managed by youths were established. Also to spread the message about environmental concerns, 18 green polling stations were set up. To facilitate voter identification, apart from EPIC card, other documents such as Adhar card, Bank Passbooks, Driving License, PAN Card, Govt employee ID card etc documents were also allowed. Media facilitation was done through special passes for more than 600 journalists.

The democratic spirit has won over any kind of apprehension in the mind of the average Kashmiri voter. Despite terror incidence of Pahalgam and Shopian, which happened just two days ago, voters seen coming in large numbers to vote. Anti-national elements failed to deter voters from exercising their constitutional rights. Meticulous planning and execution of SVEEP activities was done and it ultimately has resulted in a significant increase in the voter turnout. SMS Blast on mobile though telecom companies, hoarding, flex, nukkad natak, street play, painting competition, various sports competitions, rally etc has translated into an increase overall voter turnout. The spirit of democracy has triumphed and not even a single incident of stone pelting or any kind of violence has been reported on poll day.

The enthusiasm among the political parties, who are an important stakeholder in the democratic process can be gauged from the fact that a record number of applications regarding various permissions have been received on the Suvidha portal and they were facilitated to hold public meetings/ rallies etc in all nook and corner of the constituency. The campaigning in Baramullah PC have been violence free and has witnessed historic participation from the voters.

There were around 21,000 Kashmiri migrants electors in PC- Baramullah who opted for voting at 26 Special Polling Stations established at Jammu (21), Udhampur (01) and Delhi (04). At these 26 special polling stations, there was voter turnout of 32 % at Jammu and around 50 % at Udhampur and Delhi. It is also for the first time that the migrant community has turned for vote in such a large numbers.

The Chief Electoral Officer Jammu and Kashmir in his message congratulated all the voters and expressed gratitude towards all those voters who came in large numbers to cast their votes. He also appreciated work done by all the Polling personnel, including security personnel deployed in the election process, Police officers, ARO, RO and District Election Officers for their service in making the ongoing elections successful.