"People of J&K want to get their voices heard through democracy," says BJP leader Altaf Thakur

"People are very excited and have been standing in long queues to cast their votes since 6 am. Jammu and Kashmir has changed. People want to get their voices heard through democracy. Kashmir has now rejected terrorism, separatism, bombs, grenades and bullets and has chosen the ballot paper and wants to express itself through the ballot paper," said Altaf Thakur.

"After 2019, people are proud of Indian democracy and today people are coming out to exercise their democratic rights. It seems that PM Modi's slogan of New Jammu and Kashmir has become successful now..." he added.

Notably, the first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir saw a cumulative voter turnout of 11.11 per cent as of 9 am on Wednesday, as per the Election Commission of India.

According to the latest data issued by ECI, Kishtwar recorded a voter turnout of 14.83 per cent as of 9 am taking the lead while Pulwama recorded 9.18 per cent voter turnout.

Anantnag recorded 10.26 per cent, Doda 12.90 per cent, Kulgam 10.77 per cent, Ramban 11.91 per cent and Shopian 11.44 per cent voter turnout as of 9 am, as per the ECI.

District Election Officer, Doda Harvinder Singh said, "Voting has started in polling stations. We are getting to see a lot of enthusiasm from the people. I hope that this time we will be able to record the voter turnout well. A very good polling exercise is going on in a free and fair manner...Those who are sitting at home, should come out of their houses and exercise their voting rights..."

Polling for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections began at 7 am today amid tight security arrangements. The voting will conclude at 6 pm. Long queues of voters were seen at polling stations in the morning. In the first-phase, 24 assembly constituencies across the Union Territory are voting today, which includes 16 seats in the Kashmir region and 8 seats in the Jammu region. (ANI)