National, 21st May: The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir achieved a significant milestone with a record-breaking voter turnout of 59% in the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections held on May 20.
Renowned for its historical challenges due to militancy, the constituency surpassed all previous records with this unprecedented turnout, marking it as the highest ever recorded.
Since its inception in 1967, the constituency has witnessed various levels of voter participation, with the previous highest turnout recorded in 1984 at 58.90%.
With a staggering 17,37,865 registered voters, the constituency saw intense competition among 22 candidates, including prominent figures like former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone, and the incarcerated head of Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid.
Several factors contributed to this remarkable turnout, including heightened security measures, the abrogation of Article 370, the prolonged period of Governor’s rule in the Union Territory, among others.
Notably, the elections took place in a relatively peaceful environment, with zero terror threats reported for the first time in three decades. This sense of security fostered a fear-free atmosphere, enabling citizens to exercise their voting rights without fear or intimidation.
Of particular significance was the participation of areas that historically boycotted elections. This shift was attributed to the successful campaign led by Abdul Rashid, popularly known as ‘Engineer Rashid,’ despite his imprisonment under the UAPA act. Rashid’s influence resonated widely, motivating previously reluctant voters to engage in the electoral process.