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| More the candidates, merrier the polls and happier the people | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 21
When first phase of elections on Monday last left the separatists red faced as people boycotted the boycott campaign to exercise their democratic rights, the enforcers of boycott said that one of the second phases is not end of it. However, things appear headed for still better performance in the forthcoming phases.
One of the main reasons for huge voter turnout is considered to be the massive participation of candidates. 102 candidates were in fray for 10 seats to the legislative assembly. The number of candidates for the subsequent phases is following almost same sequence as it was in the first phase. There is an unprecedented increase in the number of contestants for forthcoming phases which is likely to see a better voter turn out.
As the second phase of J&K Assembly Elections 2008 draws near, a comparative study of candidates in fray this time for the first four phases with previous four electoral exercises in the State in 1983, 1987, 1996 and 2002 makes an interesting reading. While number of contestants has more than doubled in case of Kashmir division in comparison to the 2002 elections, in Jammu division also, there has been a marked increase in the number of contestants in the present elections.
In Kashmir Division, in comparison to 151 candidates in fray in 2002 elections, a whopping 334 candidates are contesting elections this time in 26 Assembly constituencies in the first four phases. There were 114 contestants in the ring for 1983 elections, 122 in 1987 and 128 in 1996. The average number of candidates in the Kashmir province has also steadily increased from 4.38 in 1983, 4.69 in 1987, 4.92 in 1996, 5.81 in 2002 to 12.85 in the present elections.
The figures in respect of north Kashmir are more interesting with constituencies like Sopore and Sonawari setting the benchmark. While only 6 candidates contested the 2002 polls in Sopore, this time, as many as 24 contestants are in fray this time. Similarly, in Sonawari which went to polls in the first phase, in comparison to 6 candidates in 2002, the number this time has gone up to 22. In Bandipora constituency, as compared to 6 candidates in 2002, a total of 19 contestants are in the fray this time.
In Chadoora constituency of district Budgam, the number of contestants this time has gone up to 18 as against only 8 in the last Assembly elections.
Similarly, in Jammu province, where 13 constituencies are going to polls in the first four phases, as against 112 contestants who fought elections in 2002, a total number of 176 contestants are trying their luck in the 2008 Assembly elections. There were 76 contestants in fray in 1983, 74 in 1987 and 95 in 1996. As compared to 8.62 average number of candidates in the Jammu province in 2002 Assembly elections, the average number of candidates in the elections this time is 13.54.
The Rajouri constituency in Jammu division, which is going to polls in the second phase of elections on November 23, has the distinction of having the largest number of 23 contestants in the first four phases. In comparison, there were 7 candidates in the constituency in 1983, 11 in 1987, 6 in 1996 and 14 in 2002. Similarly, Udhampur constituency has 18 candidates this time as against 17 in 1983, 11 in 1987, 7 in 1996 and 14 in 2002.
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