Voting in Phase II of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024, the first major election in a decade, kicked off today. So far, voter turnout has been recorded at 56.79%, showing overwhelming participation of the people. The polls have been conducted peacefully across the region, a positive sign for the overall process. As voters continue to cast their ballots, this phase is crucial for shaping the political future of J&K.
Almost 45 percent of the contesting candidates are either independents or from lesser-known political groups, which are active Pan-India or some parts of India. Jamaat-e-Islami, which had remained banned in India and did not participate in elections except for 1972, became a part of the Muslim United Front (MUF), which contested the Assembly elections in 1987 when attracted the attention of the voters in Kashmir.
In the 1987 Assembly elections, the MUF was reported to have been leading in about a dozen or more segments before their candidates were declared defeated. The J&K National Conference-Congress alliance after Rajiv Gandhi-Farooq Abdullah Accord cornered majority of the seats. The elections were alleged to have been rigged.
How will the independents and nominees of smaller parties impact the outcome of the ongoing elections will be interesting to watch in the days to come.
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections in 2024 are being conducted after 10 years. The last Legislative Assembly Elections were conducted in 2014. Bhartiya Janta Party and J&K People’s Democratic Party formed a coalition government with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as Chief Minister in 2015.
In 2016, Mehbooba Mufti became the Chief Minister after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s death in February 2016. Mehbooba Mufti resigned as Chief Minister after BJP withdrew support on June 18, 2018.
Since then J&K has been under Governor’s Rule. On August 5, 2019, J&K Reorganisation Act was promulgated after passage in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir and special status was withdrawn.
Now Lieutenant Governors have been posted in J&K and Ladakh with more powers.
The Congress-National Conference Alliance before the elections will be an interesting combination.
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