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Jammu and Kashmir Election 2024: Phase 1 Polling for 24 Seats Today Under Tight Security; Key Facts

September 18, 2024, 8:15 am

For the first time in 10 years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are voting in the 2024 assembly elections. The first of the three-phase election process begins on Wednesday, and it’s a significant event following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that over 23 lakh voters will be participating in the election to decide the fate of 219 candidates. Among these candidates, 90 are independents contesting across 24 assembly constituencies—eight in the Jammu region and 16 in the Kashmir Valley.

Tight Security Measures in Place

To ensure a safe election, the government has enforced strict security measures. The Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), along with the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police and local police, are managing security across the region.

Key Points to Know About the Election

First Election Post-Article 370
This assembly election is the first since the removal of Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The ECI has assigned 14,000 polling officials to supervise voting at 3,276 polling stations.

New and Special Voters
In the first phase, 1.23 lakh young voters, aged 18-19, are eligible to cast their votes. Additionally, 28,309 persons with disabilities and 15,774 elderly voters over the age of 85 will participate.

Prominent Candidates
Notable figures from the Kashmir region in the first phase include PDP’s Iltija Mufti, CPI (M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, and Congress’ Ghulam Ahmad Mir.

NC-Congress Divide
Despite their alliance, the National Conference (NC) and Congress have fielded separate candidates in Banihal, Bhaderwah, and Doda. Rebel NC leader Pyare Lal Sharma is running independently in Inderwal, while BJP rebels Rakesh Goswami and Suraj Singh Parihar are competing from Ramban and Padder-Nagseni.

Jammu Region Candidates
In Jammu, key candidates include former ministers Sajjad Kitchloo (NC), Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress), Sunil Sharma (BJP), and independent Ghulam Mohammad Saroori.

Urban and Rural Polling Stations
There are 302 urban and 2,974 rural polling stations, each managed by four election officials, including a presiding officer.

Kashmiri Pandit Voters
Over 35,000 Kashmiri Pandits will participate in this election. The ECI has streamlined paperwork to make it easier for those who moved from Kashmir to Jammu and Udhampur in the 1990s to vote.

No Elected Government Since 2018
Jammu and Kashmir have been without an elected government since June 2018, when the BJP ended its alliance with the PDP, forcing Mehbooba Mufti to step down as chief minister.

Reserved Constituencies
Out of the 90 assembly constituencies, 74 are for general candidates, nine are reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and seven for Scheduled Castes.

Terror Case Candidate
In Pulwama, Waheed Para, accused in a terror case, faces competition from his former colleague Mohammad Khalil Bandh, who is now representing the NC.

The first phase of voting is an important moment for Jammu and Kashmir, with both experienced and new candidates competing for leadership in a newly changed political situation.

ECI announces elections on 12 vacant seats in Rajya Sabha on Sep 3

August 7, 2024, 4:23 pm

The Election Commission announced on Wednesday, September 3, as the date for Elections for 12 vacant seats in Rajya Sabha.

As per the ECI, the last date for making notification is August 21, and the scrutiny of nominations will be held on August 22.

The last date of withdrawal of candidatures for Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tripura is August 26 and for Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan Telangana and Odisha–August 27.

The polling will be held on September 3 from 9 am to 4 pm and counting of votes will be held on September 3 at 5 pm.

There are two vacant seats in Assam, two in Bihar, one in Haryana, one in MP, two in Maharashtra, one in Rajasthan, one in Tripura, one in Telangana and one in Odisha.

Mamata Mohanta, who belongs to the Kudumi tribals of Mayurbhanj, resigned from the BJD and Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

In her resignation letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman, Mohanta wrote, “I Do hereby tender my resignation from the membership of Rajya Sabha, today, i.e. July 31, 2024. I have taken this decision consciously.”

After joining the BJP, Mamata Mohanta said that her only aim is the service and welfare of the common people.

“My only aim is the service and welfare of the public. It can be fulfilled only by joining the BJP,” Mohanta said.

In her resignation letter to Naveen Patnaik, Mohanta said, “I do hereby resign from the Primary Membership of Biju Janata Dal on July 31, 2024. I sincerely express my gratitude to your goodself for giving me an opportunity to serve the people of Mayurbhanj and also to take the cause of Odisha at the national level.”

She added further, “However, I feel that there is no requirement of the services of myself as well as my community in the Biju Janata Dal. Therefore, I have taken this hard decision in the public interest.”

Dr. Farooq Abdullah Urges Vigilance on Bangladesh Crisis, Highlights J&K Poll Dates and Waqf Board Amendments

August 6, 2024, 2:35 pm

Kashmir: National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah expressed deep concern over the unfolding political and economic crisis in Bangladesh, emphasizing the necessity for India to closely monitor developments. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Dr. Abdullah stated, “We must be extremely cautious and carefully observe the situation in Bangladesh. Despite the turmoil, I remain hopeful that Bangladesh will sustain a positive relationship with India.”

The veteran leader pointed to persistent issues such as unemployment and economic hardships as primary factors contributing to the government’s collapse in Bangladesh. “The unrest in Bangladesh has been simmering for years, driven by unemployment and poor economic conditions,” he remarked.

Regarding the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled from August 8 to 10, Dr. Abdullah indicated that the visit is expected to result in the announcement or scheduling of election dates. “The ECI will come and set the dates for the elections. That is the main purpose of their visit,” he said.

When questioned about potential amendments to the J&K Waqf Board Act, Dr. Abdullah stated he was unaware of any such changes. “I haven’t seen any amendments proposed for the Waqf Board Act yet. We will have to wait and see what comes forward before commenting further,” he concluded.

Dr. Abdullah’s comments come at a critical time as the region prepares for significant political activity and navigates the implications of regional instability in neighboring Bangladesh.

Election 2024: ECI’s Explanation Raises Questions On Vote Count Discrepancies

June 7, 2024, 4:00 pm

The Election Commission (ECI) on Thursday addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding discrepancies between the votes polled and votes counted in the recent 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The clarification came after a user on social media platform X alleged significant discrepancies, sometimes amounting to thousands, between the total votes cast on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the total votes counted.

Reasons for Discrepancies

Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Electoral Officer responded, detailing that such differences can arise due to specific protocols in place. According to the poll body, votes from some polling stations are not counted if:

Mock Poll Data Issues: The Presiding Officer fails to clear mock poll data from the Control Unit before starting the actual poll or does not remove mock poll slips from the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
Form 17-C Mismatch: There is a mismatch between the total votes polled in the Control Unit and the record in Form 17-C prepared by the Presiding Officer due to an error.

These votes are only counted at the end if their total is equal to or greater than the margin between the first and second candidates. If the total is lower than the margin, these votes are not counted, leading to observed differences between votes polled by EVMs and votes counted, explained the Election Commission.

In every constituency that I (randomly) checked, there is a difference between total votes cast on #EVMs and total votes counted, sometimes to the tune of thousands. Highlighting just a few cases below.

Why should there be any difference? 1/n pic.twitter.com/wkmWOtapG8

— Aniket Aga (@AgaAniket) June 6, 2024

Close Contests and Margins

The counting of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was completed on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 240 seats, and with its allies, reached a total of 293 seats. The opposition alliance, INDIA bloc, garnered over 230 seats in the new parliament, with the Congress party’s tally reaching 100 after independent MP Vishal Patil extended his support.

In several constituencies, results were determined by narrow margins. One of the closest contests was in the Mumbai North West constituency in Maharashtra, where Ravindra Dattaram Waikar of Shiv Sena edged out Amol Gajanan Kirtikar of Shiv Sena (UBT) by a mere 48 votes. Another tight race occurred in Kerala’s Attingal constituency, where Adoor Prakash of the Indian National Congress (INC) narrowly defeated V Joy of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) by 684 votes.

Public Reaction

The clarification by the Election Commission (ECI) comes in response to widespread public concern and discussions on social media. The allegations of discrepancies had sparked debates about the integrity of the electoral process, with some users expressing outrage while others found the explanations satisfactory.

As the Election Commission(ECI) continues to address these concerns, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and accuracy in the electoral process, reinforcing the faith of the electorate in the democratic system.

SC declines plea for re-polling in Bihar’s Munger constituency

June 1, 2024, 3:18 am

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to hear a plea seeking a directive for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct re-polling in certain booths of Bihar’s Munger constituency.

A vacation bench comprising Justices S. C. Sharma and P. B. Varale advised the petitioner to approach the high court instead.

“Why don’t you go to the HC? The high courts are not closed in this country,” the bench remarked.

The petitioner’s counsel alleged extensive rigging and booth capturing during the elections in Munger, purportedly with the involvement of the local administration.

The top court expressed its unwillingness to entertain the matter, prompting the petitioner to withdraw the plea. Consequently, the matter was dismissed as withdrawn.

The Apex Court was hearing a plea filed by RJD candidate Kumari Anita, who sought a directive for the poll panel to conduct re-polling in 45 booths in Munger. The plea alleged serious manipulation, booth capturing, and rigging by JD(U) workers, allegedly aided by officials. It also sought the removal of District Election Officer Munger, Dr. Avaneesh Kumar Singh, from all administrative responsibilities.

Shaping an Inclusive and Participatory Democracy: The ECI’s Transformative Role

May 30, 2024, 1:42 pm

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has set a remarkable precedent by implementing a series of pathbreaking measures to ensure maximum voter participation and inclusivity. These initiatives empower marginalized segments and redefine the fabric of the world’s largest democracy, making it a truly representative and participatory process.

One of the most significant shifts in the Indian electoral process, the facility to vote through postal ballots from home for citizens who are 85 years of age and above and those with 40 percent or above disabilities has been received positively. This new provision though introduced has garnered a phenomenal response; people casting their votes, accompanied by a full contingent of polling staff and security personnel to maintain the secrecy of the ballot ECI has not only allowed these segments to vote in a democracy without compromising their well-being but also has set a precedent for the rest of the nations. This initiative has the potential to change the electoral processes and ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of their fundamental right to vote due to age or disability.

ECI has implemented a broad agenda for the promotion of the participation of the communities whose voting rights have been stripped. All polling booths have been furnished with ramps, signs, parking zones, separate lines, and volunteers to assist voters. The SAKSHAM app has allowed persons with disabilities to access facilities such as wheelchairs, pick-and-drop services, and voluntary services. Braille-enabled EVMs, EPICs (voter IDs), and voter slips have been provided to ensure inclusivity for visually impaired electors, while dedicated polling stations managed exclusively by officials with disabilities have been set up across the country. These works do not only equalize the area but also foster a sense of ownership and participation among the differently-abled community.

For the first time in a General Election, the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar and the Nishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh who had never voted before were provided the opportunity to vote through ECI. Polling stations were established in the most secluded places including in shipping containers for the tribal electors to vote in their villages.Free transportation facilities were provided to enable the participation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), many of whom had previously been deprived of their voting rights due to their nomadic lifestyles or lack of proof of residency. By ensuring their inclusion, ECI has taken a significant step towards realizing the true spirit of the universal adult franchise.ECI has tried to do a lot in overcoming the social and psychological problems of minority groups for example the transgenders, the sex workers, and the PVTGs. In addition to facilitating their involvement, these measures combat pernicious prejudices and prejudices, paving the way for a more tolerant society. Through advocating for these often marginalized groups, ECI is leading the way for change, opening the path for their assimilation by other institutions.The Commission has simplified the voting process for Kashmiri migrants by abolishing the cumbersome Form-M procedure and allowing self-attestation of certificates. Since these persons were displaced, separate polling booths were set out in different centers including Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi. The same procedure was followed for the internally displaced persons in Manipur where polling stations were established tailored for them.

These measures also help guarantee that the people displaced can be able to exercise their democratic rights. They also affirm ECI’s adherence to the tenets of the universal franchise, regardless of the position of the person in question.ECI has tried its best to remove social & psychological problems faced by the so-called untouchables such as transgenders, sex workers, and PVTGs. To enhance the productivity and active involvement of the participants from the ‘transgender community, ECI launched ‘Rainbow Booths’. Not only did this pioneering effort help ensure third-gender voters had a safe and welcoming place to vote but it also engaged and changed the mindset of the society to accept third-gender individuals, thereby reducing their marginalization and isolation in the broader society. The primary steps were taken to empower women and increase their participation rate in the democracy; ECI arranged ‘Sakhi Booths’ or women-only polling stations in the country. Thanks to these booths all the officials of which were women, the women voters could go in to exercise their right to vote without any prejudice. To make people have a feeling that ECI belongs to them and they are ready to contribute, eleven PwDs were selected as ECI’s brand ‘Ambassadors’, and para-archer Sheetal Devi was appointed as National Icon. Other relevant commitments to popularize voting among the diverse populace were making state-level icons and ambassadors. These ambassadors act as the living emblems of diversity that motivate and facilitate other people’s engagement in the democratic process. This not only gives the asserted individuals a feeling of inclusion but also helps subvert the norms of the majority, leading to the improvement of their statuses in society.

The collective efforts of the Election Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu have indeed established benchmarks for the global community in terms of effective, free, fair, inclusive, and accessible elections. These are not mere activities of tokenism but real changes in the electoral process, aimed at including all the voters who have the right to vote but were previously excluded from the process. Through dismantling barriers and promoting the voices of the excluded, ECI is not only ensuring the vibrant working of India’s democracy but also providing a model for other countries to follow.

These measures have the leeway to bring a new dimension to the electoral process such that it portrays the diverse face of the country and instills the spirit of citizenship in every individual. As India continues its journey towards becoming a more inclusive and equitable society, the Election Commission’s initiatives will play a pivotal role in shaping a more participatory and representative democracy, where every vote counts and every voice is heard, regardless of age, disability, or social status. In scripting this new chapter of Indian democracy, ECI is not just conducting elections but redefining the very essence of what it means to be a true participatory democracy, one that celebrates diversity, empowers the marginalized, and upholds the fundamental democratic principles of equality and universal adult franchise.

West Bengal: BJP MP Alleges Breach at Strongroom in Bishnupur, Urges ECI Intervention

May 28, 2024, 12:27 am

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Saumitra Khan urged the Election Commission of India to intervene, alleging a breach of a strongroom in Bishnupur Constituency and suggesting possible tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) involving local police. Representing Bishnupur Lok Sabha since 2014, Khan expressed his concerns in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

He pointed out that state police officials were found within the innermost perimeter of the strongroom, contrary to the guidelines which mandate Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel only in that area. Khan questioned how these officials gained access and highlighted the absence of Central Force Incharge AK Saha, alongside lax security measures at the main gates.

Khan alleged that the local police were tampering with CCTV footage, potentially creating blind spots to replace genuine EVMs with falsified ones. He emphasized the need for additional forces to ensure proper security and proposed strict access control measures.

Following the conclusion of voting, EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) are stored in designated strongrooms. Khan urged the implementation of a stringent access system and demanded accountability for the involved officers.

Saumitra Khan, a two-time MP from Bishnupur, faces opposition from TMC’s Sujata Mondal, his former wife, in the ongoing elections across 42 seats in West Bengal, with vote counting slated for June 4th.

No SC direction to ECI on voter turnout data

May 25, 2024, 4:41 am

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to pass any direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a plea seeking the uploading of Form 17C data on the Commission’s website and publication of booth-wise voter turnout data.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Dutta and Satish Chandra Sharma declined to grant any interim relief to petitioners and said it could not interrupt the polls.

The top court said that of the seven-phase elections, five phases are over and the sixth phase is scheduled for Saturday.

The “hands-off” approach is needed in the middle of the election process, observed the bench while adjourning the application. The court told the petitioner that the interim prayer raised in the present application was the same as of the petition pending before it since 2019.

The bench in its order stated that “Prima facie we are not inclined to grant any interim relief since prayer A of the 2019 petition is similar to prayer B of the 2024 application. List the interim plea after (summer) vacation.”

The bench clarified that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case apart from the prima facie view.

The top court was hearing an application filed by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) seeking disclosure of final authenticated data of voter turnout in all polling stations including the number of votes polled in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 within 48 hours of the polling.

During the hearing today, senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the Election Commission of India (ECI), said that ADR’s application was based on “unfounded suspicions” and “false”.

Petitions like these are responsible for reducing the voter turnout because of the “continuous questioning of the process”, said Singh. He said such kind of attitude is causing damage to the public interest by always putting a question mark on the sanctity of the elections.

Earlier, the Election Commission had filed an affidavit before the top court and said that voter turnout data based on Form 17C (records of votes polled in each polling station) will cause confusion among voters as it will also include postal ballot counts.

ECI To SC: Voter Turnout Data Disclosure Raises Voter Confusion Concerns

May 23, 2024, 1:51 am

The Election Commission of India (ECI) submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court, expressing concerns over disclosing voter turnout data based on Form 17C, stating it could lead to confusion among voters as it would include postal ballot counts. The affidavit argued that there is no legal right to demand the publication of final authenticated voter turnout data for all polling stations. It cautioned against uploading Form 17C on websites, citing possibilities of manipulation and mistrust.

The affidavit emphasized the potential for confusion among voters, especially in closely contested elections, where disclosing Form 17C could be misinterpreted. The ECI clarified that as per rules, Form 17C is only provided to polling agents and not to the public. The ECI filed the affidavit in response to an application by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), seeking immediate disclosure of voter turnout data for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

The ECI urged the dismissal of ADR’s application, attributing it to “vested interests” aiming to discredit its functioning. Last week, the Supreme Court requested the ECI’s response on the application seeking the immediate publication of voting details after each phase of polling in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The application by ADR highlighted delays in publishing voter turnout data for the first two phases of polling and discrepancies in the percentages initially released by the ECI compared to those published later. It requested tabulated polling station-wise data and constituency-wise voter turnout figures for the ongoing election, along with scanned copies of Form 17C Part-II containing candidate-wise results after the compilation of results.

The NGO pointed out a significant increase in voter turnout percentages between the initial data released on polling days and the figures published later by the ECI.

Comedian Shyam Rangeela’s Nomination From Varanasi Declined

May 15, 2024, 11:23 pm

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday declined the affidavit submitted by comedian Shyam Rangeela, who had filed his nomination as an Independent candidate from Varanasi, running against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As per the election commission’s website, among 55 candidates, the forms of 36 nominees were dismissed, while the affidavits of 15 candidates, including PM Modi and Congress’ Ajay Rai, were approved.

Shyam Rangeela submitted his nomination as an Independent candidate from Varanasi on Tuesday. The comedian and mimic further claimed that he was obstructed from submitting his nomination papers.

Rangeela informed reporters that despite his attempts to file his nomination since May 10, he was barred from entering the district magistrate’s office on the day Prime Minister Modi submitted his nomination papers.

Previously a supporter of PM Modi, Rangeela had previously stated that the situation had altered over the last decade, prompting his decision to run for elections in Varanasi.

“In 2014, I was a follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I shared many videos supporting the Prime Minister. Videos were also shared against Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal. Seeing them, one could say that I will vote only for the Bharatiya Janata Party for the next 70 years. But the situation has changed in the last 10 years. I will now contest against the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha polls as an Independent candidate,” he had announced.

Rangeela rose to prominence for his impersonations of PM Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on a comedy program.

Varanasi is scheduled to hold elections in the seventh and final phase on June 1.