The Election Commission of India released the dates for the general elections in the states of Jammu, and Kashmir on August 16, 2024. The voters of Jammu and Kashmir cast their votes for 90 Assembly Constituencies for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This legislative assembly election serves as a clean slate for the voters, as they have a chance to elect the most suitable government for themselves. This makes the elections very special for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
Key dates and figures for the Election
The Voters of the Union Territory voted in 3 phases. The first phase of voting was conducted on September 18, 2024, which saw a voter turnout of 61.38%. The second phase of voting, conducted on September 25, 2024, saw a voter turnout of 57.31%. Lastly, the final phase of voting was on October 1, 2024, which saw a voter turnout of approximately 65.58%.
The counting of these votes took place on October 8, 2024, for 90. The Election Commission officials assured the safety and security at all the counting centres to ensure decorum and peace.
Parties and Prominent Candidates
The 2024 Legislative Assembly elections have witnessed the participation of several prominent candidates and political parties. The Congress-National Conference alliance, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the main stakeholders in the keenly watched assembly election.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released the ‘Sankalp Patra 2024—Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election’ in Jammu on September 6, 2024. The manifesto has focused on various socio-economic and developmental initiatives. The party boasts several prominent names, like Ravinder Raina, contesting from Nowshera; Darshan Kumar, contesting from Basohli; and Surjeet Singh Slathia from Samba. These candidates portray a strong presence of the party in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
On August 19, 2024, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) also published its manifesto, focusing on several major undertakings. The party intends to focus on international relations and the development of the population residing in Jammu and Kashmir. The party has candidates like Omar Abdullah from Budgam; Reyaz Ahmad Khan from Shangus Anantnag; and Sheikh Mehboob Iqbal from Bhaderwah.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti, has played a significant role in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir. The party released its manifesto on September 15, 2024. In this document, the party emphasized the restoration of Article 370, the improvement of local governance, and enhancing youth employment. The prominent name of this party, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, is contesting from Bijbehara.
Indian National Congress (INC) aims to regain its foothold in the region through a coalition with the National Conference Party. The INC unveiled its manifesto on September 20, 2024, with a focus on economic development, social justice, and strengthening democratic institutions. The prominent names of this party are Surinder Singh from Tral, Ghulam Ahmed Mir from Dooru and Tariq Hameed Karra from Central Shalteng.
Regional Parties of the State
The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC), led by Sajad Gani Lone released its manifesto on September 22, 2024. The party is advocating autonomy within India, economic reforms, and increased security measures. Sajad Gani Lone is contesting from Handwara Constituency.
The Apni Party is led by Altaf Bukhari. Their manifesto was released on September 18, 2024, and it highlighted infrastructure development and education reforms. Altaf Bukhari is contesting from Channapora Constituency.
Lastly, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), under the leadership of MY Tarigami released their manifesto on September 25, 2024, emphasizing land reforms and labour rights. MT Tarigami is contesting from Kulgam Constituency.
Result of the Election
8 AM
The counting of votes began under heavy security in several areas of the state.
8.30 AM
The initial trends indicated a tough battle for the Congress-NC alliance and BJP. While the Alliance was leading in several constituencies, the BJP however was also showing its stronghold.
9 AM
The NC-Congress alliance reported leading in 10 seats, while the BJP had led in 8 seats.
10 AM
As the counting progresses, the NC-Congress alliance extends its lead to 20 seats, with BJP trailing at 15 seats. The PDP also held a narrow lead in 2 constituencies, and now the independents had also come into the picture with them leading in 3 seats.
11 AM
The NC-Congress Alliance was leading in 30 seats, while the BJP had slowed down and stood at 20 seats. The PDP maintained its position in 2 constituencies, and independent candidates are ahead in 4 seats.
12 PM
The NC-Congress solidified its lead, now at 35 seats, while BJP was steady at 22 seats. PDP was leading in 2 constituencies, with independents at 5 seats.
1 PM
By this time, the alliance had reached 40 seats, while BJP was at 26 seats. PDP maintained its lead in 3 constituencies and independents were ahead in 7 seats.
2 PM
The final trends revealed that the National Conference was leading in 42 seats. The BJP was leading in 26 seats, INC in 9 seats, JKPDP in 3 seats, JPC in 2 seats, and independents in 7 seats.
Party Wise Result of the Election
The Election Commission concluded the counting of votes and the end, the following figures were made public:
- Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC): 42 Seats
- Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP): 29 Seats
- Indian National Congress (INC): 6 Seats
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): 3 Seats
- Jammy and Kashmir People Conference (JKPC): 1 Seat
- Communist Party of India (Marxist): 1 Seat
- Independent: 7 Seats
- Aam Aadmi Party: 1 Seat
List of Winners in the Elections
The Election Commission has concluded the counting in majority areas and the winners of these areas are provided herein –
- Akhnoor – Mohan Lal, BJP
- Anantnag – Peerzada Mohammad Syed, INC
- Anantnag West – Abdul Majeed Bhat, JKNC
- Bahu – Vikram Randhawa, BJP
- Bandipora – Nizam Uddin Bhat, INC
- Bani – Dr. Rameshar Singh, Independent
- Banihal – Sajad Shaheen, JKNC
- Baramulla – Javid Hassan Baig, JKNC
- Basohli – Darshan Kumar, BJP
- Beerwah – Shafi Ahmad Wani, JKNC
- Bhadarwah – Daleep Singh, BJP
- Billawar – Satish Kumar Sharma, BJP
- Bishnah (SC) – Rajeev Kumar, BJP
- Budgam – Omar Abdullah, JKNC
- Budhal (ST) – Javaid Iqbal, JKNC
- Central Shalteng – Tariq Hameed Karra, INC
- Chadoora – Ali Mohammad Dar, JKNC
- Channapora – Mushtaq Guroo, JKNC
- Chenani – Balwant Singh Mankotia, BJP
- Chhamb – Satish Sharma, Independent
- Chrar-i-Sharief – Advocate Abdul Raheem Rather, JKNC
- D.H Pora – Sakeena Masood, JKNC
- Devsar – Peerzada Feroze Ahamad, JKNC
- Doda – Mehraj Malik, AAP
- Doda West – Shakti Raj Parihar, BJP
- Dooru – Gulam Ahmad Mir, INC
- Eidgah – Mubarik Gul, JKNC
- Ganderbal – Omar Abdullah, JKNC
- Gulabgarh (ST) – Khurshied Ahmed, JKNC
- Gulmarg – Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah, JKNC
- Gurez (ST) – Nazir Ahmad Khan, JKNC
- Habbakadal – Shamim Firdous, JKNC
- Handwara – Sajad Gani Lone, JKNC
- Hazratbal – Salman Sagar, JKNC
- Hiranagar – Vijay Kumar, BJP
- Inderwal – Pyare Lal Sharma, Independent
- Jammu East – Yudhvir Sethi, BJP
- Jammu North – Sham Lal Sharma, BJP
- Jammu West – Arvind Gupta, BJP
- Jasrota – Rajiv Jasrotia, BJP
- Kalakote Sunderbani – Randhir Singh, BJP
- Kangan (ST) – Mian Mehar Ali, JKNC
- Karnah – Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, JKNC
- Kathua (SC) – Dr. Bharat Bhushan, BJP
- Khansahib – Saif Ud Din Bhat, BJP
- Khanyar – Ali Mohammad Sagar, JKNC
- Kishtwar – Shagun Parihar, BJP
- Kokernag (ST) – Zafar Ali Khatana, JKNC
- Kulgam – Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami, CPI(M)
- Kupwara – Mir Mohammad Fayaz, PDP
- Lal Chowk – Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed, JKNC
- Langate – Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, Independent
- Lolab – Qaysar Jamshaid Lone, JKNC
- Marh (SC) – Surinder Kumar, BJP
- Mendhar (ST) – Javed Ahmed Rana, JKNC
- Nagrota – Devender Singh Rana, BJP
- Nowshera – Surinder Kumar Choudhary, JKNC
- Padder Nagseni – Sunil Kumar Sharma, BJP
- Pahalgam – Altaf Ahmad Wani, JKNC
- Pampore – Hasnain Masoodi, JKNC
- Pattan – Javaid Riyaz, JKNC
- Poonch Haveli – Ajaz Ahmed Jan, JKNC
- Pulwama – Waheed Ur Rehman Para, PDP
- R.S Pura Jammu South -Dr. Narinder Singh Raina, BJP
- Rafiabad – Javid Ahmad Dar, JKNC
- Rajouri (ST) – Iftkar Ahmed, INC
- Rajpora – Ghulam Mohi Uddin Mir, JKNC
- Ramban – Arjun Singh Raju, JKNC
- Ramgarh (SC) – Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, BJP
- Ramnagar (SC) – Sunil Bhardwaj, BJP
- Reasi – Kuldeep Raj Dubey, BJP
- Samba – Surjeet Singh Slathia, BJP
- Shangus Ananthnag East – Reyaz Ahmad Khan, JKNC
- Shopian – Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Independent
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi – Baldev Raj Sharma, BJP
- Sonawari – Hilal Akbar Lone, JKNC
- Sopore – Irshad Rasool Kar, JKNC
- Srigufwara Bijbehara – Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, JKNC
- Suchetgarh (SC) – Gharu Ram, BJP
- Surankote (ST) – Choudhary Mohammed Akram, Independent
- Thannamandi (ST) – Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, Independent
- Tral – Rafiq Ahmad Naik, PDP
- Trehgam – Saifullah Mir, JKNC
- Udhampur East – Ranbir Singh Pathania, BJP
- Udhampur West – Pawan Kumar Gupta, BJP
- Uri – Sajjad Shafi, JKNC
- Vijaypur – Chander Parkash, BJP
- Wagoora Kreeri- Irfan Hafiz, INC
- Zadibal – Tanvir Sadiq, JKNC
- Zainapora – Showkat Hussain Ganie, JKNC
Conclusion
The historic elections concluded in the Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir and the NC-Congress Alliance emerged victorious. These parties will now make the government together, with Omar Abdullah being the Chief Minister. This was announced by Farooq Abdullah after the alliance had breached the majority mark in the afternoon. The election marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the Union Territory. The result is reflective of diverse representation across various parties in the newly formed assembly.
