Jammu and Kashmir is making headlines as it votes for its Legislative Assembly Elections for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370. This also marks the beginning of a three-phase assembly election process, a significant milestone for the Union Territory.
As of September 18, 2024, the voter turnout has been impressive, with 61.11% participation reported by 11:30 PM. This is quite remarkable for a region that has historically seen boycotts of elections.
Here’s how different districts performed:
- Anantnag: 57.84%
- Doda: 71.34%
- Kishtwar: 80.14%
- Kulgam: 62.46%
- Pulwama: 46.65%
- Ramban: 70.55%
- Shopian: 55.96%
*Source: Election Commission of India Press Note
The plus and the minus
In this phase, a total of 219 candidates are competing for 24 seats across seven districts, including a notable presence of independent candidates—90 in total. There are approximately 23.27 lakh voters, comprising 11.76 lakh men, 11.51 lakh women, and 60 third-gender voters.
However, there’s a darker side to this election cycle: in the second phase, it was revealed that 49 candidates (21%) have criminal records, with 37 (16%) facing serious charges as declared by themselves according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Who Are These Candidates?
Among those with criminal backgrounds, three candidates have declared charges related to attempted murder, while seven face allegations tied to crimes against women, including one case related to rape. Breaking it down by party affiliation:
- JKPDP: Four out of 26 candidates (15%) have criminal cases.
- BJP: Four out of 17 candidates (24%) have similar declarations.
- Congress: Two out of six candidates (33%) are in this category.
- JKNC: One out of 20 candidates (5%) has declared such cases.
This raises an important question: how can individuals with criminal records aspire to become lawmakers?
Ignoring Supreme Court Directives
Alarmingly, eight constituencies (31%) have been flagged as "red alert" areas due to having three or more candidates with criminal backgrounds. Despite a Supreme Court ruling from February 2020 instructing political parties to justify their candidate selections based on merit and qualifications, these guidelines seem to have been largely overlooked.
Political reactions
PM Modi has criticized parties like the National Conference and PDP for allegedly exploiting youth in Jammu and Kashmir for political gain. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has voiced his concerns over the state’s transition into a Union Territory, claiming it undermines constitutional rights.
This election cycle is not just about choosing representatives; it’s a pivotal moment for Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape after years of turmoil and uncertainty.
Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Jammu and Kashmir from 18 September to 1 October 2024 in 3 phases to elect 90 members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on 8 October 2024.
Comments