SRINAGAR, May 25: The Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency is witnessing vibrant electoral activity as more than 23% of the 18.36 lakh eligible voters have cast their ballots by 11:00 am, with the Rajouri assembly segment leading with a robust turnout of 34.93%, officials confirmed.
According to reports, the Anantnag and Kulgam assembly segments are the only areas where the voter turnout remains below 15% thus far, signaling a varied participation across the constituency.
Despite an isolated incident reported in Bijbehara, polling operations continue smoothly across the constituency, encompassing 18 assembly segments across five districts: Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pooch, and Rajouri.
In a significant shift resulting from the 2022 delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir, Pulwama district and Shopian assembly segment were removed from the South Kashmir Lok Sabha seat, while seven assembly segments from Poonch and Rajouri were incorporated into the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.
The electoral contest features prominent figures such as PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Mian Altaf Ahmad, alongside Apni Party’s Zafar Iqbal Manhas, among 20 candidates vying for victory.
Polling commenced at 7:00 am and is scheduled to conclude at 6:00 pm across the constituency, with heightened anticipation for a substantial turnout given the expanded electorate and evolving demographic dynamics.
Comparative data from previous elections underscores the evolving electoral landscape, with the turnout in the old Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency recorded at around 9% in 2019 and approximately 29% in 2014.
As of 11:00 am, the poll percentage in the 11 assembly segments falling within the Kashmir valley stands at around 19%, indicating an active participation from the region. However, with the inclusion of Poonch and Rajouri areas in the constituency, authorities anticipate a significantly higher turnout compared to previous elections, reflecting the changing dynamics and heightened civic engagement among voters.
