Coordinated efforts led to highest voter turnout in 35 years
Congratulates J&K for receiving "Best Performing State/UT Award"
Administration ensured seamless operations across 11,838 polling stations
Raja Syed Rather
Jammu, Jan 25 (KNO): Terming the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in J&K historic since independence, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that not a single bullet was fired, no stone was pelted, and repolling wasn’t required even at a single polling booth across the Union Territory.
Speaking at an event organized to celebrate National Voters’ Day in Jammu, LG Sinha, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said, “Coordinated efforts between the administration and security forces led to an unprecedented voter turnout in 2024, the highest in 35 years.”
“This record participation by the people sent a resounding message that they are equal stakeholders in peace and democracy. Remarkably, not a single bullet was fired, no stone was pelted, and repolling wasn’t required even at a single polling booth,” he added.
He congratulated the Election Commission of India (ECI) for holding impartial and spectacular polls and praised the efforts of officials who managed a massive voter list of 89 lakh people, which was revised after delimitation. “This included 4,27,000 first-time voters. The administration ensured seamless operations across 11,838 polling stations, and not a single instance of repolling was recorded,” he said.
The LG also congratulated Jammu and Kashmir for receiving the "Best Performing State/UT Award" from the ECI. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of officers and the people of J&K who participated in the democratic process in record numbers,” he said.
LG Sinha paid rich tributes to the framers of the Constitution who empowered the Commission to hold free and fair elections. “The ECI has played a pivotal role in establishing democracy in India, which is proudly known as the ‘mother of democracy.’ Its ability to declare results on the same day as counting is unparalleled,” he noted.
LG Sinha highlighted that India’s election model has become a global benchmark, with countries from both the Global North and South learning from its practices. “The ECI, which has issued 97 crore voter ID cards, continues to uphold democratic values across the country, ensuring smooth and credible elections,” he said.
National Voters’ Day, he said, holds immense significance in India’s democratic journey. “It’s a day to celebrate the power of the vote, which empowers every citizen and strengthens the foundation of our democracy,” LG Sinha added—(KNO)