Kashmir Elections Show Firm Response to Unrest: President Murmu

The Kashmir Valley saw a significant increase in voter turnout, breaking records that had stood for many decades. President Murmu highlighted this achievement in his address to a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. He also mentioned the full implementation of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the division of the state into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. President Murmu expressed satisfaction with the increased voter turnout in the Kashmir Valley, contrasting it with the low participation witnessed over the past four decades, often due to shutdowns and strikes.

He emphasized that the recent elections reflected a change in the region’s attitude towards political participation, countering false propaganda propagated by adversaries of India. The Election Commission reported that the three constituencies in the Kashmir Valley – Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri – recorded the highest voter turnout in many decades during the recent Lok Sabha elections. This achievement was significant, considering the historical context of low participation amidst challenging circumstances. [Note: I have paraphrased the original text to provide a clearer and more structured version of the information.]