Lagatar24 Desk
Srinagar: Voting for the first phase of the three-phase Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir commenced today under tight security. Twenty-four constituencies, across seven districts, are witnessing polling for the first time in 10 years. This election marks a historic moment, being the first since the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and reorganized it into Union Territories.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged first-time voters to participate in strengthening democracy. “I urge all those in the constituencies going to the polls today to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise,” PM Modi tweeted.
This election features key players, including regional parties such as Farooq Abdullah’s National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP, alongside national parties like the Congress and BJP. Other contenders include Engineer Rashid’s Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party and Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference. Some separatist outfits are also running as independents.
Key Candidates and Constituencies:
- In Pulwama and Srigufwara-Bijbehara, PDP’s Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti (daughter of former CM Mehbooba Mufti) are in the fray.
- Other prominent faces include CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami (Kulgam), Congress’s Ghulam Ahmad Mir (Dooru), and NC’s Sajjad Kitchloo (Jammu).
Voting Demographics: Over 23 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 219 candidates, including 90 independents. Out of 24 constituencies, eight are in Jammu and four in Kashmir. Polling is being conducted across 3,276 stations, with 14,000 personnel overseeing the process.
Security Arrangements: The Jammu and Kashmir Police, alongside the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces, have implemented multi-layered security to ensure a peaceful election. Senior officer VK Birdi assured that extensive measures have been taken to secure polling areas.
Future Polling and Results: The second phase of voting will be on September 25, followed by the third phase on October 1. Counting of votes will take place on October 8.
