Jammu: As all three phases of Assembly polls have culminated peacefully in J&K, all eyes are now on October 8, the day results of 90 seats will be out. On the same day, things will be clear as to who will form the government J&K after a gap of ten years.
After Tuesday’s polling, focus has shifted to appointment of counting agents by the candidates as well as preparation by the election commission of India to keep the counting day peaceful and foolproof.
Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held after 10 years and this time the enthusiasm of people to participate in the democratic process was unmatched.
During these elections the fate of one former chief minister, UT president of two major national parties Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), chiefs of three major regional parties, several former ministers and many new faces has been sealed in the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The presence of banned Jamaat-e-Islami backed candidates in the electoral politics for the first time since 1987 allegedly rigged elections has given a new direction to these elections which is one of the reasons for improved voter turnout in Kashmir valley. The JeI backed candidates contested as independents but they were of the opinion that had the union government lifted the ban on their organization, they would have contested over 50 seats in the UT.
This Assembly election was first for a couple of parties, J&K Apni Party led by former minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) led by former Congressman Ghulam Nabi Azad, which came into existence after the August 5, 2019 decision of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, and their presence, especially in Kashmir region and Chenab valley of Jammu region, was visible.
All eyes on Oct 8 counting, candidates keep fingers crossed
