An estimated number of 8.5 lakh voters, added to the voter list during repeated summary revision of the electoral rolls since 2019, are going to make or break the future of candidates running for Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir. Among them, a sizable 4.83 lakh female voters would hold sway as compared to their male counterparts in the poll arena.
According to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, an estimated number of 86.93 lakh electors including 44.35 lakh male and 42.58 lakh female voters will be exercising their right to franchise in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
The candidates will be testing the political waters on five Lok Sabha seats wooing young age voters. In 2019, BJP won two Lok Sabha seats in the Jammu region while National Conference candidates won all three seats of Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag in the valley. This time the ruling BJP is eyeing at least three Lok Sabha seats after the Abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A. In the latest revision of the electoral rolls, a total number of 2.31 lakh new voters have been added to the final list. The rolls were published on January 22, 2024.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the total electorate size was 78.44 lakh voters in Jammu and Kashmir. Between 2019 and 2024, 4.83 lakh female voters and 3.67 lakh male voters have been added to the electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir. Out of 78.44 lakh voters, 40.68 lakh were male and 37.75 lakh were female voters. In contrast, out of 86.93 lakh voters, there will be 44.35 lakh males and 42. 58 lakh female voters in the fresh list.
According to the office of Chief Electoral Officer, 86,000 names have been deleted because of death, shifting or other reasons besides correction in details of 1.45 lakh electors during the process. The elector population ratio has also improved from 0.59 to 0.60 and gender ratio from 924 to 954.
The process of Special Summary Revision of the Electoral Roll with a qualifying date of 1st January, 2024 was carried out as per the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI).