Srinagar, Oct 03: The third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections recorded a 69.69% voter turnout, with female participation surpassing that of men, Election Commission of India said on Thursday.
The ECI said that women voters turned out in greater numbers than men, with a 70.02% female turnout compared to 69.37% male participation. This phase has set a benchmark for overall voter engagement, underscoring the increasing importance of women’s involvement in the electoral process, it said.
Across the region, the III-Phase saw higher participation in comparison to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with overall voter turnout across J&K reaching 63.88%, ECI said.
It said that polling was carried out smoothly across all constituencies. The highest turnout was recorded in the Gurez constituency, which saw an impressive 78.04% voter turnout.
It also said that a significant number of constituencies reported a voting percentage higher than 70%, including Handwara (72.78%), Sonawari (69.80%), and Udhampur West (77.07%).
ECI lauded the peaceful conduct of elections, adding that “this phase’s turnout is a testament to the people’s faith in democracy, and the increased participation of women signals a progressive shift in the electoral dynamics of J&K.
Key constituencies like Gurez, Karnah, and Udhampur reported active participation, while urban areas like Jammu East showed a relatively lower turnout of 64.35%, ECI said adding that voter turnout for male, female, and third-gender electors was tracked throughout the day, with updates shared every two hours.
“Polling parties returned safely, and scrutiny was completed in the presence of the candidates or their agents. The election process was transparent, fair and no major incidents were reported,” it added.
With peaceful elections and high voter engagement, particularly from women, the III-Phase marks a shift in the electoral history of Jammu and Kashmir, with optimism for greater civic participation in the future, it added.
