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Srinagar, June 03 : All is set for the crucial vote counting tomorrow in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The counting, which will begin at 8 AM, will determine the fate of 100 candidates participating in the parliamentary elections, including a Union Minister and two former Chief Ministers.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Pandurang K Pole said that extensive measures have been implemented to ensure the counting process is smooth, secure, and transparent.
“Stringent police arrangements are in place to prevent any untoward incidents,” he added.
Nine counting centers have been set up across the five Lok Sabha constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, a center in Delhi will process votes cast by Kashmiri migrants at special polling stations in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri constituencies.
The Udhampur and Jammu parliamentary seats are also being counted. Prominent candidates include 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 People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Other notable candidates are former Ministers Raman Bhalla and Choudhary Lal Singh of Congress, GM 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 confirm that all necessary arrangements, including security measures and staff deployment, are in place at all counting centers.
Dr. Bilal Bhat, Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, stated that elaborate arrangements are 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 told.
Officials stated that all necessary arrangements are in place for the other counting centers in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
District Magistrate of Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, has imposed preventive restrictions under CrPC 144 within the premises of the counting center to prevent any potential law and order issues on the counting day.
The voter turnout across the Union Territory was 58.46 percent, the highest in the last 35 years.
Voter participation in the Kashmir Valley saw a significant surge, 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, respectively. In the Jammu region, the Udhampur and Jammu constituencies reported turnouts of 68.27 percent and 72.22 percent, respectively.
In the Udhampur constituency, where Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh is seeking a third consecutive term, vote counting will take place at Government Degree College, Kathua. Other notable candidates include former MP Lal Singh and GM Saroori.
Baramulla’s 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, Apni Party’s Ashraf Mir, and PDP youth leader Waheed Para.
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.(KNS)
