1. Results of elections to 87 seats in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in north India have been declared. As per the province´s election regulatory body, the State Election Commission, 10,015 polling stations were set up in 87 constituencies to facilitate 72,25,559 voters of Jammu and Kashmir. (Out of a total 111 seats, 24 seats remain vacant for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the remaining 87 seats are distributed among Jammu- 37 seats, Kashmir valley- 46 seats and Ladakh- 4 seats. The elected members serve for a period of six years, against the usual five-year norm in other provinces of India.)

2.  The electoral turnout of over 65 % is unprecedented. It is the highest turnout recorded in the last 25 years. Previous provincial elections of 2008 and 2002 had witnessed a turnout of 61.42% and 43.09% respectively. Long serpentine queues at polling booths across regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh of the state and enthusiastic participation by youth and women voters were a visible phenomenon.

3. Further, 20 out of 87 constituencies witnessed over 80% turnout, including in the terrorist-affected/border constituencies. The high turnout was witnessed over all five phases of elections thus spanning time and geography:

4. The high turnout is significant against the background of boycott calls given by separatists and intimidation faced by the electorate as well as candidates from terrorists.

5.  It is also noteworthy that calls for boycott of elections by the separatists were disregarded by the people. In fact, higher increases in polling over the previous years were recorded in constituencies considered to be the stronghold of separatists.

6. Despite threats to life, a total 821 candidates, including 276 independents, contested elections.

7. National parties have increased their share to 37 seats from 28 seats in the 2008 elections [(Bharatiya Janata Party – also the ruling national party) has won 25 seats (from 11 seats in 2008) and Congress has won 12 seats (from 17 seats in 2008) ]. A former separatist leader Sajjad Lone of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference participated in elections and has won the election from Handwara constituency.

8. The high-turnout and active participation in the election process reflects faith of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in realising their aspirations through participation in the regular democratic processes of India. These election results were reflective of the aspiration for jobs, improved health-care, better governance, and growth and development.