Security tightened at 25 counting centres in J&K, postal ballots to be counted from 7:30 am, followed by EVMs at 8 am across 90 constituencies
Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Oct 7(TDD): The wait is over finally, as counting for 90 seats of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be declared tomorrow. Counting will take place at 25 places all around the Union Territory under a fool-proof security structure. Candidates are tightening their belts for a long, sleepless night with high emotions, anxious to know the fruits of their labour.
The elections mark the first experience of an elected government in J&K after ten years since the last assembly elections, which were held way back in 2014. It also marks the first poll since the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into the two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh on August 5, 2019.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole said that a three-tier security system has been put in place at all the counting venues in J&K. “We have 25 counting centers with three particularly designed for migrant votes,” Pole told.
He further stated that counting will begin at 7.30 am on postal ballots, and at 8.00 am with EVMs. “All preparations are in place. Candidates have been informed as regards their counting agents. The EVMs have multiple layers of security-locked up with police, CRPF, and other officers,” he added that everything would be done smoothly in all centers.
The elections were held to 90 constituencies in three phases over 18 September-1 October in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu. In the first phase, 24 seats were contested; in the second phase, 26; and 40 in the third.
The fate of 873 candidates will be clear soon since they had contested for these 90 seats. The voter turn out was at 63.88%, which was a bit less than the 65.52% in the Assembly election for 2014. Srinagar’s SKICC is likely to be the center of attention as votes for eight crucial seats from the district will be counted here.
Key political players in the fray include NC vice president Omar Abdullah, contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies, People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone from Handwara and Kupwara, Congress state president Tariq Hamid Karra from Shalteng, and BJP J&K president Ravindra Raina from Nowshera.
Others emerging as strong contenders are Congress General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir from Dooru, PDP leaders Waheed Para from Pulwama, Iltija Mufti from Bijbehara, Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari from Chanapora, CPI(M) veteran Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami from Kulgam, and former Deputy Chief Ministers Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Abdur Rahim Rather and Tara Chand.
Exit polls conducted on Saturday indicate that the NC is leading in Kashmir while the BJP has a strong position in Jammu. The BJP remains confident of securing a majority as it requires 48 seats to form the government. However, the five nominated MLAs would probably don on their decisive role in government formation, that has been opposed by parties such as NC and Congress, which argue that only an elected government should nominate them subject to approval by the Lieutenant Governor.
Several candidates mentioned that they would be spending a sleepless night. “I doubt anyone in the fray will sleep tonight. It’s bound to be the longest night of our lives—there’s a mix of excitement, anxiety and a rush of emotions,” said Aijaz Mir, an independent candidate.
Meanwhile, workers of different parties were spotted making arrangements to celebrate till late into the night buying sweets and garlands. However, offices of major parties such as NC, PDP, and Congress seemed quiet with no trace of any preparations yet for celebrations.—(TDD)
