Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir, which contributes five seats to Parliament, the voter turnout was 58.58 percent in recent concluded Lok Sabha elections. Notably, a significant number of voters in Jammu and Kashmir opted for the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option, indicating dissatisfaction with the candidates on offer.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) revealed that out of the 100 candidates contesting in Jammu and Kashmir, 68 received fewer votes than NOTA. This translates to 34,788 voters rejecting all available candidates by pressing the NOTA button. This trend highlights a significant level of voter dissatisfaction in J&K.
In summary, 68 out of 100 candidates in Jammu and Kashmir received fewer votes than NOTA, underscoring widespread voter discontent with the candidates presented.
NOTA in Ladakh
In the Union Territory of Ladakh, the NOTA option was selected by only 912 voters. Ladakh, which has a single parliamentary constituency, saw three candidates contesting, all of whom received more votes than NOTA.
The substantial number of NOTA votes in Jammu and Kashmir reflects a notable level of voter dissatisfaction with the available candidates. This outcome suggests that political parties may need to re-evaluate their candidate selection processes and address the concerns and expectations of the electorate more effectively.
As the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections are analysed, the high NOTA turnout in Jammu and Kashmir serves as a critical indicator of the electorate’s desire for better representation and accountability from their elected officials.