Exit polls for J&K Assembly elections to be released today

Jammu: As the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded on October 3, all eyes are on the upcoming exit poll results, set to be released on Saturday.
A notable voter turnout of 69.69% was recorded in this phase, with women participating in higher numbers than men, as reported by the Election Commission.
Overall, the elections witnessed a cumulative turnout of 63.88%. The male voter participation stood at 64.68%, while female voters accounted for 63.04%. Additionally, 38.24% of third-gender voters cast their ballots, marking an important step towards inclusivity in the electoral process.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hailed the reforms implemented since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019, claiming these changes herald a new era of peace and economic growth in the region. Conversely, local parties argue that the associated security measures have severely restricted civil liberties, raising concerns about the electoral environment.
While exit polls serve as an informative tool to gauge public opinion, their accuracy can be variable. Factors such as sampling methods, voter honesty, and the inherent margins of error can impact the reliability of these polls. Historical data suggests mixed outcomes, with some polls correctly predicting trends while others have significantly miscalculated, underscoring the need for caution in interpreting these early results.