Home Voting for Elderly and Disabled in Srinagar: Over 69 Votes Cast
In Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, a special home voting facility for elderly voters and persons with disabilities concluded on Saturday evening. Over 69 voters took advantage of this service.
Who Could Vote from Home?
Zadibal Constituency Returning Officer, Khalid Hussain Malik, explained that the home voting facility was available for those who are physically challenged with a disability of more than 40 percent and elderly people above the age of 85 years. He mentioned that a lady over 100 years old also cast her vote using this facility.
Importance of Every Vote
Malik emphasized, “It is a message from the Election Commission of India that every vote is important. Polling parties reach out to every place.” He urged all voters to exercise their right to vote.
Ongoing Assembly Elections
The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are currently underway. The first phase of voting was held on September 18, with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent. The second phase is scheduled for September 25, and the third phase for October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.
Voter Turnout in the First Phase
| District | Turnout Percentage |
|---|---|
| Kishtwar | 80.14% |
| Ramban | 70.55% |
| Doda | 71.34% |
| Kulgam | 62.60% |
| Anantnag | 57.84% |
| Shopian | 55.96% |
| Pulwama | 46.65% |
Political Parties in the Fray
The Congress and the National Conference are contesting the elections in alliance. Other parties include the PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and People’s Conference. These are the first assembly polls since the abrogation of Article 370, held after nearly ten years.
Doubts Revealed
Srinagar -: Srinagar is a city in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for its beautiful lakes and gardens.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India. It has beautiful mountains and is known for its scenic beauty.
Home voting -: Home voting means that people can vote from their homes instead of going to a polling station. This is helpful for people who have difficulty moving around.
Elderly -: Elderly refers to older people, usually those who are 60 years old or more.
Disabled -: Disabled means having a physical or mental condition that makes it hard to do certain activities or interact with the world around them.
Assembly elections -: Assembly elections are when people vote to choose their representatives in the state government. These representatives make important decisions for the state.
Turnout -: Turnout means the number of people who actually go and vote in an election. A higher turnout means more people participated.
