Udhampur Constituency Sees 57% Voter Turnout in First Phase of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

The Udhampur constituency in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a voter turnout of over 57% as of 3 pm on Friday during the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Voting started at 7 am amid heavy rain in parts of the Udhampur and Kathua districts.

According to an official from the election authorities, the voter turnout reached 57.9% by 3 pm, with polling picking up pace throughout the day. The Udhampur constituency is one of the 102 seats across 21 states and Union Territories that went to polls in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

The Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency saw a significant increase in voter participation, with the overall turnout standing at 57.09% as of 3:00 pm. The Jasrota assembly segment led the turnout at 62.03%, followed by Udhampur East and Inderwal at 61.30% and 61.10% respectively. Other notable segments with robust participation included Kathua SC (59.27%), Doda West (59.05%), and Ramnagar SC (58.63%).

The voting process, which commenced at 7:00 am across 2,637 polling stations, has been characterized by a peaceful environment with no untoward incidents reported. The election features 12 candidates, including Union Minister Jitendra Singh seeking re-election for the third consecutive term, and other prominent contenders like Congress leader Choudhary Lal Singh and Ghulam Nabi Azad-led DPAP's G.M. Saroori.

This is the first major electoral battle in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. The Udhampur constituency encompasses an expansive area of 16,707 square kilometres, spanning across five districts. It has a diverse electorate of over 16.23 lakh eligible voters, including 845,283 men, 777,899 women, and 13 third-gender voters. There are also 23,637 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and 25,632 seasoned voters aged 80 and above.

Why this matters: The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being closely watched, as they are the first major electoral exercise since the revocation of the state's special status under Article 370 in 2019. The voter turnout and results in key constituencies like Udhampur will provide insights into the political landscape and public sentiment in the region post the significant constitutional changes.

As the polling progressed, a newly married couple in Udhampur cast their votes a day after their wedding. The bride, Radhika Sharma, emphasized the importance of exercising one's democratic right, stating, "After our wedding ceremony and farewell rituals, I told my husband Sahil that we must cast our votes." The couple arrived at the polling station in their wedding attire, with Radhika urging everyone not to waste their vote.

Key Takeaways

• Udhampur constituency in J&K saw 57.9% voter turnout by 3 pm in LS polls' first phase.
• Jasrota assembly segment led with 62.03% turnout, followed by Udhampur East and Inderwal.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh seeks re-election, faces Congress' Choudhary Lal Singh and DPAP's G.M. Saroori.
• This is the first major election in J&K after abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation.
• A newly married couple in Udhampur cast votes in wedding attire, urging others to vote.