Jammu and Kashmir 2008

Jammu and Kashmir (India) finished state elections yesterday. The election took 7 phases.

Jammu and Kashmir is 67% Muslim, and 97% in Kashmir. Jammu is 65% Hindu and 31% Muslim. Ladakh, which has the smallest population (2% of the total, against 54% in Kashmir and 44% in Jammu), is 47% Muslim and 46% Buddhist/others.

The last election took place in October 2002, and before that, in 1996.

JKNC 28.24% winning 28 seats
INC 24.24% winning 20 seats
PDP 9.28% winning 16 seats
Indies 16.50% winning 13 seats
JKNPP 3.83% winning 4 seats
CPI (M) 0.88% winning 2 seats
BJP 8.57% winning 1 seat
BSP 4.50% winning 1 seat
JKAL 0.91% winning 1 seat
DM 0.62% winning 1 seat

2002 map from the ECI

The INC formed a coalition government including the PDP and the JKNPP. However, the PDP left government in June 2008 and JK has been under President’s rule (an article in the Indian constitution allows the federal government to take over the state government when no clear majority can be formed).

There are 87 seats up for grabs, and 1,354 candidates in all.