Jammu & Kashmir Elections 2024 Phase 3 Polling Live Updates: Voter Turnout Reaches 28.12% By 11 AM Across 40 Seats

Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 Phase 3 Voting Live Updates: The voting began at 7am and will conclude around 6pm, till the voters arrive. Conting of votes and results are scheduled for October 8.

Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2024 Live Updates: J&K is voting for the third and final phase of the assembly elections on Monday (October 1). A total of 3.9 million voters will declare the fate of 415 candidates in fray for 40 assembly seats. Polling booths are set up across seven districts: Jammu, Udhampur, Samba and Kathua in the Jammu region and Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north Kashmir. 

The voting began at 7am and will conclude around 6pm, till the voters arrive. Conting of votes and results are scheduled for October 8. 

This is the first election in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. 

Political stalwarts like BJP and Congress along with regional parties like PDP, PC, JKPC are locking horns for the total  of 90 assembly seats. 

Key Candidates: 

Notable candidates in the third phase of polling include People's Conference chairman and former minister Sajjad Lone, along with National Panthers Party India president Dev Singh. Among Jammu and Kashmir ministers, Raman Bhalla (R S Pura), Usman Majid (Bandipora), Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurez), Taj Mohiuddin (Uri), Basharat Bukhari (Wagoora-Kreeri), Imran Ansari (Pattan), Ghulam Hassan Mir (Gulmarg), and Choudhary Lal Singh (Basohli) are also key contenders. 

01 October 2024

12:03 IST

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Polls Phase 3 Live: Voter Turnout By 11AM

According to Election Commission of India, as of 11 in the morning a total of 28.12% voter turnout has been recorded in the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. District-wise, voter participation stands at 28.04% in Bandipore, 23.20% in Baramulla, 27.15% in Jammu, and 31.78% in Kathua. In Kupwara, the turnout is 27.34%, while Samba and Udhampur have reported 31.50% and 33.84% respectively. The final phase is being closely monitored as voters across these regions head to the polls to cast their ballots in a crucial election for the state.

10:14 IST

J&K Polls Phase 3 Live: Over 11 per cent polling till 9 am 

According to data from the Election Commission (EC), voter turnout reached 11.60 percent within the first two hours of polling for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on Tuesday.

09:19 IST

J&K Assembly Polls Live: Former Jamaat-e-Islami Leader’s Son Votes in Langate

In the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, the son of former Jamaat-e-Islami general secretary Dr. Kaleemullah cast his vote in the Langate constituency on Tuesday morning, where he is running as an independent candidate. This marks a significant moment, as candidates backed by Jamaat e Islami are participating in the elections for the first time in 35 years.

09:17 IST

J&K Assembly Elections Live: Congress' Kharge Urges Voters 'To Teach A Lesson'

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to turn out in large numbers for the third and final phase of the assembly polls, emphasizing the importance of voting as a means to "teach a lesson" to those who have taken away their statehood. In a post on X, Kharge stated, "As voting for the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections commences, I urge the people in these 40 Assembly seats to exercise their Democratic rights in large numbers." He highlighted this as a final opportunity to hold accountable those responsible for the loss of statehood, asserting, "Remember, that a single vote can change your destiny and usher in a brighter future, which secures your Constitutional rights."

Kharge added that "a single vote is valuable enough to ensure better employment opportunities for the young, take on the corrupt, safeguard your land rights and ensure progress and prosperity." He welcomed first-time voters, stating, "The future course for Jammu and Kashmir shall be decided by their participation." He concluded by encouraging all to "join the voting queue."

09:03 IST

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Polls Live: List Current Ministers In Race 

In the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, several current ministers are in the race, including Raman Bhalla from RS Pura, Usman Majid representing Bandipora, Nazir Ahmad Khan from Gurez, Taj Mohiuddin from Uri, Basharat Bukhari contesting in Wagoora-Kreeri, Imran Ansari from Pattan, Ghulam Hassan Mir representing Gulmarg, and Choudhary Lal Singh from Basohli. 

09:01 IST

Jammu And Kashmir Assembly Polls Live: Key Candidates To watch Out For 

In the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir assembly election 2024, several prominent candidates are vying for seats. Notable figures include Choudhary Lal Singh from Congress contesting in Basohli, Sham Lal Sharma from BJP in Jammu North, and Raman Bhalla from Congress representing RS Pura – Jammu South. Other key candidates are former J&K BJP vice president Pawan Khajuria, running as an independent in Udhampur East, and Jugal Kishore Sharma, a former Congress minister contesting as an independent in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency. 

Additionally, the electoral race features People's Conference chairman and former minister Sajjad Lone, along with National Panthers Party India president Dev Singh. 

08:51 IST

J&K assembly Polls Live: Engineer Rashid Criticizes PDP For Suppressing Public Voices 

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, President of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), remarked on the ongoing assembly elections, stating, "The voting percentage has increased because people have been victims of state repression...the voice of the people has been suppressed since the PDP came to power in 2014." He emphasized that the public is eager to express their feelings and seeks change, having realized that they can only achieve progress through democratic means. Rashid added, "Violence has no place in society...the people of Kashmir have always believed in democracy. They also wanted a democratic solution to the Kashmir issue." He expressed hope that "an era of reconciliation will begin after the voting." 

08:47 IST

J&K assembly Polls Live: BJP Candidate Exclaims Festival of Democracy 

Jammu North constituency BJP candidate Sham Lal Sharma emphasized the significance of the ongoing assembly elections, referring to them as "the biggest festival of democracy." He noted that residents of Jammu and Kashmir have eagerly awaited these elections, highlighting the long lines outside polling stations as evidence of a strong desire for change in the region. Sharma expressed confidence that voters in the 24 seats across Jammu province would surpass previous voting records. He urged constituents to select the best candidates in this crucial electoral process.

Sham Lal Sharma casted his vote at a polling booth in Purkhoo Government School in Jammu.

08:27 IST

J&K Assembly Elections Live: BJP Candidate Vikram Randhawa Prays for Success

Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, BJP candidate Vikram Randhawa from the Bahu constituency offered prayers at the Bawe Wali Mata Mahakali Mandir. Randhawa is contesting against Congress candidate Taranjit Singh Tony and PDP’s Varinder Singh.

Speaking to ANI, Randhawa expressed his hopes for the elections, stating, "I prayed that Mata Rani strengthens the nationalist powers. These elections will take Jammu and Kashmir in a new direction. J&K has decided to make the best decision this time."

07:45 IST

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Polls Live: High Voter Turnout Recorded in First Two Phases

The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, held on September 18 across 24 constituencies, saw a voter turnout of 61.13%, surpassing the 58.46% recorded in this summer’s Lok Sabha elections, which had marked the highest turnout in 35 years. 

The second phase, conducted in 25 constituencies, also witnessed a significant voter response, with 56.95% turnout, a remarkable figure given the region’s history of terrorism and electoral boycotts.

07:33 IST

Jammu And Kashmir Polls Live: Amit Shah Says J&K Needs Government Away From Terrorism, Seperatism 

Ahead of J&K elections third phase, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the UT needs a visionary government. In a tweet on X, he said, “Jammu and Kashmir needs a government that is visionary and can take strong decisions for security, peace and stability here. Today, the people voting here in the last phase should use their vote power to form a government that keeps Jammu and Kashmir away from terrorism, separatism, nepotism and corruption and is determined to protect the rights of every section. Cast a historic vote for tourism, education, employment and all-round development in Jammu and Kashmir." 

07:28 IST

J&K Polls Third Phase Live: Ghulam Nabi Azad Stresses Need For Political Solutions

Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to actively participate in the ongoing assembly elections, emphasizing the importance of addressing regional issues.

"I appeal to people to come out and vote. The political party that comes to power should resolve the issues," Azad stated, refraining from endorsing or opposing any party. "I will not speak against or in favour of any party. Voters will decide whether (majority) will be given to a single party or not," he added.

07:26 IST

Jammu and Kashmir Polls Live: Ghulam Nabi Azad Casts Vote

Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad cast his vote at a polling station in Jammu as part of the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections.

07:25 IST

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election Live: PM Modi Urges Voters to Participate In Final Phase

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on the people of Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the third and final phase of the 2024 assembly elections. 

"Today is the third and last round of voting in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. I request all voters to come forward and cast their votes to make the festival of democracy a success. I am confident that apart from the young friends who are going to vote for the first time, women power will also participate in the voting in large numbers," PM Modi said in a post on X.