District Anantnag witnessed a 54.17% voter turnout
By Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag,Setember 18: First-time voters aged between 18-24 offered a variety of opinions regarding their votes in South Kashmir on Wednesday. After a decade-long wait, the first phase of the Assembly elections in 24 constituencies across seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir took place, with an overall voter turnout of 58.85% in the first phase.
Experienced voters, whose participation is crucial, account for 51% of the population, ranging in age from 25 to 65 and above, while first-time voters make up just 14%. The question is whether the 14% will surprise us, as the larger 51% of experienced voters are likely to be the main determinant. These mature voters have remained largely silent during election campaigning in areas participating in the first phase of elections.
In South Kashmir, a direct contest is unfolding between the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in most assembly segments. However, in Kulgam district, the traditional stronghold of Jamaat-e-Islami is challenging the four-time winner Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami (CPIM).
It will be interesting to see the results and whether Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, representing the CPIM, has strengthened his position with his cultural socialism in Kulgam constituency. Historically, he has outperformed his colleagues in terms of development.
The independent candidate supported by Jamaat-e-Islami has succeeded in mobilizing people for the election campaign. However, it remains to be seen whether Jamaat-e-Islami’s cadre fully supports Sayar Reshi, as the party has been adopting a “bend and bow” approach but lacks a clear strategy. Jamaat’s tactics aim to uphold sentiment but suffer from policy paralysis.
Another intriguing contest is in Anantnag’s 44th constituency, between Congress candidate Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed and PDP candidate Dr. Mehboob Beig. Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, with extensive ministerial experience, is expected to rely on NC cadre support in addition to Congress backing. Dr. Mehboob Beig, who has represented both Parliament and the Assembly, is viewed by neutral observers as struggling with “political dementia.” However, if first-time voters favor Dr. Mehboob Beig, he could emerge as a strong candidate, despite the APNI Party’s Hilal Ahmad Shah having a notable presence in Anantnag town.
Speaking with local voters, many self-employed in marketing businesses emphasized that Anantnag’s 44th constituency doesn’t need employment but rather business opportunities to drive employment for the broader population. They expressed the need for mega projects like a super specialty hospital, while the existing district hospital is now associated with GMC Anantnag.
Another significant contest is in Bijbehara between PDP’s Iltija Mufti and NC’s Bashir Shah Veeri. Iltija Mufti is determined to carry on her grandfather’s legacy and has a slight edge in Bijbehara town, while the surrounding areas—where voter numbers are larger—are seeing an evenly matched contest between NC and PDP. A decisive swing by young voters could tip the scales in either direction.
South Kashmir is also witnessing a notable contest in the Kokernag Assembly constituency between Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates, with substantial support from the non-ST population. This follows the 2022 delimitation process by the Election Commission of India (ECI), after Jammu and Kashmir’s bifurcation and the abrogation of its special status under Article 370.
In Kokernag, ten candidates, including six from the Choudhury community, are competing. Prominent party candidates include Zaffar Choudhary from the NC and PDP’s Harun Choudhary. It remains to be seen how non-voters in ST Kokernag will cast their votes to determine the winner.
Meanwhile, the first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir recorded a cumulative voter turnout of 58.19% as of 5 pm on Wednesday, according to the Election Commission of India.
As per the latest ECI data, Kishtwar recorded a voter turnout of 77.23%, taking the lead, while Pulwama saw a turnout of 43.87%. Anantnag recorded 54.17%, Doda 69.33%, Kulgam 59.62%, Ramban 67.71%, and Shopian 53.64% as of 5 pm.
