Jammu, Mar 3: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recognized the outstanding leadership of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo for successfully conducting the 18th Lok Sabha elections in the Union Territory.
Dulloo was awarded a ‘Certificate of Exemplary Leadership’, signed by the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners, in acknowledgment of his excellent service in ensuring smooth and trouble-free elections.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in J&K witnessed a remarkable 58.11% voter turnout, the highest recorded for general elections in the region since 1989. This marked a 14% increase from the 44% turnout recorded in the 2019 elections, reflecting a significant rise in electoral participation across the UT.
Notably, these were the first general elections in Jammu and Kashmir after its reorganization in 2019. A total of 87,26,281 voters were eligible to cast their ballots, with 11,629 polling stations set up across towns and villages. To ensure smooth conduct, 80,724 polling personnel were trained and deployed.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the administration introduced:
- 83 all-women polling stations
- 70 youth-manned polling stations
- 73 PwD-manned polling stations
- 88 Green Polling Stations
- 180 Border Polling Stations
- 152 Model Polling Stations
- 46 Unique Polling Stations with thematic setups
These specialized polling stations were aimed at enhancing voter inclusivity, ensuring greater accessibility for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and fostering a more participatory democratic process in the region.
The recognition by the ECI underscores Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving electoral landscape, setting a new benchmark for transparent, inclusive, and efficient elections in the Union Territory.
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