Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024 | Counting of votes begins amid tight security

Srinagar: Finally, the wait is over for the election results for 90 seats of J&K Assembly as results will start to trickle soon.

Counting began at 25 locations across the Union Territory (UT) amid multi-layered security cover even as candidates maintained wait amid a little fear of losing and an increased heart rate. Out of the 25 counting centers, SKICC in Srinagar would be the centre of focus where counting of eight crucial seats of the Srinagar district will be held.

The counting of postal ballots started first at 7:30 am and then Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were taken up. “All arrangements are in place. Candidates have also been given information about their counting agents,” J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole said.

He said that a three-tier security has been put in place at all counting locations across the UT.

“There are 25 counting locations while three centres have been set up for counting of migrant votes,” he said.

J&K would see its own government after a decade as the last Assembly polls were held in 2014. The elections were also first without Article 370 and without Ladakh as J&K’s party. On August 5, 2019, New Delhi sliced the erstwhile State into two halves—J&K and Ladakh UTs.

Workers of many political parties were seen buying sweets and garlands late night Monday to celebrate the victory of their favourite candidates.

There were 873 candidates in the fray for 90 seats, the fate of whom has been sealed. In all three phases, J&K recorded 63.88 per cent, less than the 65.52 percent recorded in the 2014 assembly elections.