NEW DELHI: For the primary time, elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held below international highlight, with senior diplomats from 16 international locations invited to watch voting at polling stations within the Union territory. The worldwide observers on Wednesday voiced their validation of the polls, with the US diplomat describing them as “very wholesome and really democratic” and the Singapore consultant calling them “comparable” to elections in her nation.
“It’s nice to see the passion… to see Kashmiris voting after a pause of 10 years. We’re very excited to see the outcomes… It seems very wholesome and really democratic,” US deputy chief of the mission in Delhi, Jorgan Okay Andrews, was quoted by PTI as saying.
“I’m glad that every one the voters confirmed up. That is fantastic to see,” mentioned Singapore deputy head of the mission in Delhi, Cheng Wei Wei Alice. South Korean diplomat Sang Woo Lim mentioned it was particular to witness how democracy works and appreciated the concept of all-women ‘pink polling stations’.
On the invitation of the exterior affairs ministry, senior diplomats from the US, South Korea, Spain, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Norway, Nigeria, Tanzania, the Philippines, Guyana, Somalia, Panama, Rwanda and Algeria toured polling stations in Ompora (Budgam) and Amira Kadal and S P Faculty, Chinar Bagh, which falls in Lal Chowk meeting constituency.
With a 61.4% turnout in Part 1 and over 57% (provisional) in Part 2, chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday described J&Okay elections as “historical past within the making”. He mentioned, “The individuals of J&Okay are standing in lengthy queues outdoors polling cubicles at locations the place boycott calls have been as soon as given. It’s a standing ovation for democracy..It’s historical past within the making, echoes of which will likely be heard for posterity.”
Wednesday’s general turnout was larger as in comparison with the 2024 LS polls (52.2%) however decrease than the 61.8% turnout recorded within the 2014 meeting polls in the identical districts.
Turnouts have been larger throughout the Valley’s Budgam, Ganderbal and Srinagar districts as in comparison with 2024 LS polls, however considerably decrease in Ganderbal and Budgam, in comparison with the 2014 meeting polls. Although Srinagar district recorded a low turnout at 27.6% (provisional), it’s higher than the 24.8% polling recorded in 2024 LS elections and prone to surpass the 27.7% turnout within the 2014 J&Okay polls. In Jammu division, all three districts – Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch – recorded decrease turnouts than the 2014 meeting polls and, barring Poonch, than the 2024 LS elections.
Each US diplomat Andrews and Alice from Singapore on Wednesday mentioned the J&Okay polls have been just like these of their respective international locations, with the US utilizing faculties and Singapore, govt buildings, for polling stations.
