Jammu and Kashmir has reported a voter turnout of 41.17% as of 1 PM in the first phase of the assembly elections, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

According to the ECI, Kishtwar recorded a 56.86% turnout followed by Doda 50.81%, Ramban 49.68%, Kulgam 39.91%, Shopian 38.72%, Anantnag 37.90% and Pulwama 29.84%.

Voting began at 7 AM and is set to continue until 6 PM across the Union Territory. A brief suspension of voting occurred at a polling station in Bagwan Mohalla, Kishtwar, due to a protest over voter identification issues.

The situation has since been resolved, with Kishtwar District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Shavan attributing the disruption to confusion over identification cards. “There was some confusion and a crowd gathered, but the issue was resolved. Voting has resumed and the situation is normal,” Shavan said.

Kashmiri migrant voters also participated under tight security at the ITI College Campus in Jammu.

Today’s voting covers 24 assembly constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir, including 16 in the Kashmir region and 8 in the Jammu region. Subsequent phases of voting are scheduled for September 25 and October 1, with vote counting slated for October 8.

(With ANI inputs)