Unprecedented Peace Marks Jammu and Kashmir's Three-Phased Assembly Polls

The Election Commission reported no need for repolls in Jammu and Kashmir's three-phased assembly elections. The elections, now covering 90 seats, saw no major law and order issues, an increase in candidates, and a significant rise in female and independent participants compared to 2014.

The Election Commission announced an unprecedented peaceful outcome for the three-phased Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls concluded on Tuesday. Unlike 2014, no repolls were required.

Despite the number of assembly seats increasing from 83 in 2014 to 90 in 2024, the elections were efficiently completed in three phases this time, compared to five phases previously.

No major law and order incidents were reported, a vast improvement from 2014 when over 170 incidents occurred, including 87 on polling days. There were no complaints of arbitrary preventive detention of political figures, marking it as 'unprecedented' according to the EC.

The commission had given strict instructions against the last-minute clubbing of polling stations. Voters cast their ballots at their actual polling stations, unlike in 2014 when 98 stations were shifted at the last moment. The role of money and muscle power was significantly curtailed.

This election saw a seven per cent rise in the number of candidates compared to 2014, with notable increases in female candidates (from 28 to 43) and independent candidates (26 per cent rise). Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) also increased their participation by 71 per cent, growing from 138 in 2014 to 236 in 2024.