Lok Sabha election Phase 5: 10. 2 lakh people cast vote as Baramulla records tentative 59% voter turnout; highest after 1984

Handwara witnesses highest 72% voting turnout, Gurez lowest at 40.82; 32 percent migrant voter turnout recorded

Baramulla: The Baramulla parliamentary constituency, which went to the polls on Monday in the fifth phase, recorded a tentative 59 percent turnout.
From a total of 17, 37, 86, and 10.2 lacs, electorates exercised their right to franchise.
The 59% voter turnout in the Baramulla parliament elections marked the highest turnout since 1984. A total of 17,47,810 lakh voters were enrolled in phase V.
Twenty-two candidates were in the fray for the Baramulla parliament elections, including National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party’s Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Peoples Conference’s Sajad Lone, and Abdul Rashid Sheikh, an independent candidate.
The Baramulla parliament has over 18 segments spread over 4 districts: Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Budgam.
Addressing a press conference later in the evening, Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, P.K Pole said, “The Fifth Phase of voting for General Elections to 18thLok Sabha concluded peacefully here today with around 59% voting in the districts of Baramullah, Kupwara, Bandipur and Budgam Districts partly”.
He said a fractional correction is expected in the percentage figure. At some of the Polling Stations, voting continued even after 6 p.m., and many polling parties had yet to reach the Reception Center.
Sharing details on year-wise general elections, Pole said that in 1967, Baramulla recorded 51.35% voter turnout, 50.62% in 1971, 56.97% in 1977, 56.02% in 1980, 61.09% in 1984, 5.48% in 1989, 46.65% in 1996, 41.94% in 1998, 27.79% in 1999, 35.65% in 2004, 41.84% in 2009, 38.96 in 2014, and 37.41 in 2019.
Adding that, he said that no election was held in 1991 due to turmoil.
The details shared by Pole read that the total poll at the polling station at 5 p.m. was 54.21%, which increased to 58.62% (approximately 59 %).
Kupwara reported 55.68% voter turnout at 5:00 PM, with a tentative final turnout of 60.29%. In Lolab, the turnout was 55.72% at 5:00 PM and tentatively reached 58.00% by the close of polls. Handwara had a notable 66.76% turnout at 5:00 PM, which tentatively rose to 72.00% by the end of polling.
Langet's voter turnout was 60.08% at 5:00 PM, tentatively increasing to 66.05% by the close of polls. Sopore showed a turnout of 40.10% at 5:00 PM, tentatively reaching 44.36% by the end of the day.
Rafiyabad had a voter turnout of 54.69% at 5.00 PM, with a tentative final turnout of 57.39%. Uri reported a turnout of 59.07% at 5.00 PM, rising to a tentative 62.92% by the close of polls. In Baramulla, the voter turnout was 48.20% at 5.00 PM and tentatively reached 52.15% by the end of the day.
Gulmarg had a turnout of 54.45% at 5:00 PM, with a tentative final turnout of 59.52%. Wagoora–Kareeri showed a turnout of 47.10% at 5:00 PM, increasing tentatively to 49.79% by the close of the polls.
Pattan reported a voter turnout of 52.90% at 5.00 PM, with a tentative final turnout of 60.01%. In Sonawari, the turnout was 58.64% at 5.00 PM, which tentatively rose to 64.73% by the end of the day.
Bandipur saw a voter turnout of 56.13% at 5:00 PM, increasing tentatively to 60.24% by the close of polls. Gurez had a turnout of 39.77% at 5:00 PM, which tentatively reached 40.82% by the end of the day. In Beerwah, the voter turnout was 55.62% at 5:00 PM, with a tentative final turnout of 58.80%. Budgam reported a turnout of 48.12% at 5:00 PM, increasing tentatively to 52.00% by the close of polls.
As far as migrant votes are concerned, a 32% voter turnout was reported on the Baramulla parliament seat.
This year’s poll percentage is definitely the second highest in the democratic history of Baramullah PC and may be likely to be the highest, as final figures are yet to reach from remote areas. Also, two assembly segments – Budgamand Beerwah have been added in recent de-limitation, we can say it is highest for the Baramullah PC in today’s size, he said.
The Actual Poll started at 7.00 AM, and after two hours of polling, 7.70%(it was without the SoporeAssembly segment, as the AERO couldn’t upload it in time; however, it was included in the next two hourly reporting times at 11.00 am) polling was recorded in the constituency at 09:00 am; at 11.00 AM, 21.56% of voting was recorded; at 01:00 PM, 35.08% voting was recorded; at 3:00 PM, 45.22 % voting was recorded. By 5:00 pm, 54.57% polling was recorded in the constituency, he said.
He added, “Assembly segment-wise, the highest poll percentage was observed in Handwara with around 72.00 % and lowest in Gurez with 40.82%.”
In Karnah, voter turnout at 5:00 PM was 56.65%, which increased to a tentative 61.87% by the close of polls. Trehgam saw a voter turnout of 57.31% at 5:00 PM, rising to a tentative 62.56% by the end of the day.