2008 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election

Elections for the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir were held over seven days in November and December 2008. The previous government led by the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP) in coalition with the Indian National Congress (INC) collapsed when the PDP withdrew. Following the election, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC) agreed on a coalition with Congress and their leader, Omar Abdullah became the state's youngest-ever Chief Minister at 38.

Background

Elections for the Jammu and Kashmir state Assembly were due in 2008, following the end of the term of the Assembly elected in 2002. However, the PDP withdrew from the INC-led state government in protest at the Amarnath land transfer decision. The INC government resigned in July 2008 and the state was brought under the direct rule of the central government pending the elections.Amarnath row divides Jammu and Kashmir NDTV, 16 August 2008

Parties Party FlagElectoral symbolLeaderSeats contestedIndian National CongressGhulam Nabi Azad78Jammu & Kashmir National ConferenceFarooq Abdullah85Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party Mufti Mohammed Sayeed78Bharatiya Janata PartyNirmal Kumar Singh64

Boycott The main Kashmiri separatist group, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference called on Kashmiris to boycott the elections, saying the elections were a "futile exercise" that would never "fulfill the aspirations of the people".APHC to boycott Kashmir elections later this year Pakistan Times, 11 May 2008

Despite these boycott calls, NC leaders claimed that activists from Jamaat-e-Islami had come out and voted for the PDP.Despite boycott call, Jamaat cadres come out in support of PDP Indian Express, 23 December 2008

There were scattered separatist protests throughout the elections, including hundreds who protested in Srinagar. Police prevented these protestors from marching to the center of the city which led to protestors throwing stones at the police who fired tear gas and used baton charges.Voting ends in Indian Kashmir amid heavy security International Herald Tribune, 24 December 2008

Security Indian election officials voiced major concerns about the security of the elections given the calls for a boycott and protest from separatist leaders and the recent violence over the Amarnath land transfer controversy. Voting was staggered so that security forces could maintain control. Thousands of security forces were deployed during the voting. In Srinagar, security forces were posted at junctions, patrolled the streets, and guarded polling stations. An unofficial curfew was enforced, gatherings of more than five people banned and neighborhoods were sealed off with steel barricades and razor wire.

Police also arrested three men they accused of being Jaish-e-Mohammed members planning suicide attacks in Jammu.Clashes mark final Kashmir poll BBC News, 24 December 2008 One of those arrested was a soldier in the Army of Pakistan, who Pakistan said had deserted in 2006. However following the polls the NC leader, Farooq Abdullah, thanked the Pakistan government for their "non-interference" with the polls.Pakistan conundrum hangs over Kashmir poll success The Hindu, 30 December 2008

Results The seven stages of the elections were held as follows:

Date Seats Turnout Monday 17 November 10 69.02% Sunday 23 November 6 68.29% Sunday 30 November 5 68.22% Sunday 7 December 18 59.24% Saturday 13 December 11 58.5% Wednesday 17 December 16 65.93% Wednesday 24 December 21 52.0% Total 87 60.5% Source:Low voter turnout in final phase, Rediff India, 2008-12-24

Turnout rose by 17%, despite calls from Kashmiri separatists and Pakistan for Kashmiris to boycott the election.Abdullahs back in J&K Times of India, 29 December 2009 INC head Sonia Gandhi described the polls as "a triumph of Indian democracy".

Separatist supporters were said to have backed the PDP. The BJP's increase in support was said to be due to polarisation arising from the Amarnath land transfer controversy, which led it to increase its seat tally from 1 to 11 seats.BJP fields more Muslim candidates in J&K to shrug off communal tag

1,354 candidates stood for election including 517 independents and nominees from 43 political parties.35 political parties failed to win a seat in J&K polls Rediff India, 29 December 2008

Summary

Elected members Results by constituency

2008 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election

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