OVERVIEW

The ongoing elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India, are the first Assembly polls since the revocation of the region’s special status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and the subsequent reorganisation of the state. On August 5, 2019, J&K was downgraded from a state to two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh—under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which came into effect on October 31, 2019. The last Assembly elections were held in 2014, but the Election Commission of India (ECI) decided against conducting the 2019 elections due to prevailing security concerns.

Following the completion of the delimitation process on May 5, 2022, the boundaries, names, and number of Assembly constituencies were redefined. The Union Territory of J&K now has 90 Assembly seats—47 in Kashmir and 43 in Jammu—up from the previous 83 seats within the two regions, with an increase of six seats in Jammu and one in Kashmir. These 90 constituencies are being contested over three phases, marking a critical step in restoring political representation in the region after years of federal rule.

Schedule

The 2024 Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Legislative Assembly elections in India are a landmark event, being the first since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019 and the first assembly polls in a decade. Held over three phases, voting began on September 18 and concluded on October 1, 2024, with the counting of votes set for October 8.

Key Parties

The three-phase election featured a multi-party contest for the 90 seats in the former state of J&K. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and the Indian National Congress (INC) are contesting in alliance, while the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are among the other major contenders. Although the BJP has not formally allied with any party, it is backing several independent candidates and local parties that support its stance on Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the acceptance of the revocation of the region’s special status.

Other prominent parties include Sajjad Lone’s Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (PC), Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), and Altaf Bukhari’s Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP).

Number of Eligible Voters

There are 8.7 million eligible voters participating in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. This includes 4.45 million male voters and 4.26 million female voters.

Voter Turnout

In the first phase of polling on September 18, 2024, which covered 24 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission recorded a voter turnout of 61.38%. Interestingly, six of the constituencies witnessed a higher turnout of female voters compared to male voters, reflecting a growing participation of women in the electoral process.

In the second phase of polling on September 25, the turnout was slightly lower, with 57.31% of eligible voters casting their ballots. Notably, in 11 constituencies, the turnout of female voters surpassed that of male voters.

The third phase of polling on October 1 recorded the highest voter turnout of the three phases of the elections with 69.69% of eligible voters casting their ballots. The overall voter turnout recorded was 63.88%. 63.04% and 64.68% of eligible female and male eligible voters, respectively, participated in the elections.

2014 Elections: A Recap

In the 2014 J&K Assembly elections, held across five phases, the JKPDP secured 28 seats—the highest for any party—yet fell short of the 44-seat majority needed to form the government. The BJP followed closely with 25 seats, while the JKNC and the INC won 15 and 12 seats, respectively.

When looking at the regional breakdown, the JKPDP dominated in Kashmir, securing 25 out of 46 seats in the valley. In contrast, the BJP made its mark in the Jammu region by winning 25 of the 37 seats. Meanwhile, Congress performed well in the Ladakh division, securing three of the four available seats, showcasing the distinct regional strengths of each party across the state.

CONCLUSION

The ongoing 2024 J&K Assembly elections are pivotal in shaping the future political landscape of the union territory. Being the first since the abrogation of Article 370, they hold immense significance as they address crucial issues such as the restoration of statehood and regional security. These elections mark a turning point, offering a democratic platform for discourse on the balance of power between the newly elected Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor, who retains control over key areas like public order. With the participation of political parties and former separatists, the elections signal the region’s return to democratic processes after years of federal rule, which followed the collapse of the coalition government in 2018.

The outcome of these elections will be instrumental in shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s governance structure and its relationship with the central government. The results are expected to impact ongoing debates over statehood restoration, security, and the balance between regional autonomy and federal oversight. Ultimately, this election represents an opportunity for political reintegration and offers renewed hope for lasting peace and stability in a region long marred by political uncertainty.