With voting for the three-phase Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Assembly elections ending on October 1, all eyes are now set on the results to be declared on October 8, deciding the fate of the national and regional parties.
This was the first Assembly election taking place after a decade-long pause in the region and followed revocation of Article 370, and 35 A in August 2019.
J&K will have its own government after ten years.
After Tuesday’s polling, the focus now shifted to the selection of counting agents by the candidates as well as preparation by the Election Commission of India to keep vote-counting day peaceful and incident-free.
Voter participation in this election was encouraging mainly for two reasons – one, they wanted to have their own elected representatives rather than the current administration led by the Lieutenant Governor.
Second, there were no boycott calls like before from separatist organisations like Hurriyat or Jamaat-e-Islami,that not only voted but also contested in the state elections for the first time after 1987, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of J&K.
one, that felt they wanted to have their own elected representatives rather than the current administration led by the Lieutenant Governor.
Second, there were no boycott calls like before from separatist organisations like Hurriyat or Jamaat-e-Islami that not only voted but also contested in the state elections for the first time after 1987, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of J&K.
Political observers and local experts suggest that the J&K has witnessed two major transformative events in its recent history: the 1987 elections, which were allegedly rigged by the then ruling government with the help of facilitators in Jammu and Kashmir.
The other major event, according to them, is the 2024 Assembly election, where common people, separatists, Jamaat-e-Islami, and former militants all participated in the festival of democracy, marking a new beginning in the region's walk to prosperity, peace, and development.
During the campaigning visible regional divide was noticed between Kashmir Valley and Jammu region.
Even BJP leaders asked for votes to elect a Dogra Hindu CM from Jammu in a bid to consolidate Hindu votes for the party and ensure it wins as many seats as possible from Jammu division.
Despite an upsurge in the terror incidents in the Jammu region, the elections were conducted peacefully.
The ECI took all the necessary steps to make these elections free and fair through a partial and transparent approach.
To attract people to vote the ECI also took a range of initiatives, like home-based voting for the elderly and the establishment of special polling booths for women and specially-abled, voters.
Interestingly, to raise awareness about climate change in J&K, which has one of the most fragile ecosystems in the country, green polling stations had been set up for people to plant a tree after casting their votes to contribute towards the greater good of the environment and climate change.
However, the debate around the centre’s August 5, 2019 decision to revoke Article 370 remains an important issue for the people.
The idea of getting back statehood was the major priority of the people going to polls, while Article 370 was the next most highlighted issue in the entire election process.
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