SRINAGAR: Pandurang K. Pole, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K accompanied by Pramod Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary, Election Commission of India; Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Special Secretary and Anil Salgotra, Joint CEO in Chief Electoral Office, J&K met the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan today.
A copy of the Notification issued by the Election Commission of India, in pursuance of Section 73 of the Representation of People Act 1951 (43 of 1951), containing the names of the Members elected to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir following the polls, was submitted by them to the Lieutenant Governor.
The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Pandurang Pole, Chief Electoral Officer, UT of J&K on the successful completion of the electoral process. He also appreciated the efforts of the Election Officials, J&K Police, and security personnel for successfully completing a peaceful, transparent, free, and fair election.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024 have concluded successfully, marking a significant moment in the UT’s democratic process.
“This marked the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014, drawing considerable attention and participation from the public”, stated Chief Electoral Officer, P K Pole.
On October 8, the CEO said the record-breaking voter turnout has reasserted and reaffirmed the faith of the public in the institutions of democracy, exhibiting and testifying explicitly the unwavering belief of the masses in the power of the ballot.
The elections were held in three phases, with 24 constituencies voting in the first phase, followed by 26 in the second and 40 in the third. A total of 873 candidates contested for the opportunity to represent their communities in the 90-member legislative assembly. Voter turnout was robust, reflecting a renewed enthusiasm for democratic engagement in the region.
The Chief Election Officer appreciated the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, extending his gratitude to the District Election Officers (DEOs), FSTs, SSTs, VSTs, VVTs, more than 75000 polling staff, Command and Control Room Staff, Nodal officers of all the activities, security personnel did a commendable job and most importantly, the electorates. “The successful conduct of these elections is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved and the commitment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the democratic process,” he stated.
Election authorities ensured that adequate measures were in place to maintain security and facilitate a smooth voting process, addressing concerns that had previously affected voter turnout in the region.