The fate of 219 candidates from various political parties will be determined today as 23.27 lakh eligible voters head to the polls in the first phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. This marks the first election since the abrogation of Article 370 and the transition of the erstwhile state into a Union Territory on August 5, 2019.
Polling will take place in 24 constituencies, comprising eight in the Doda region and 16 across four districts in South Kashmir. Security arrangements are tightly coordinated to ensure a smooth voting process.
Officials have confirmed that all necessary arrangements have been made, with polling parties dispatched to their respective stations along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Security personnel were deployed well in advance to sanitize polling areas.
Given the recent surge in terror activities and the presence of foreign militants in mountainous regions, special security measures have been implemented in the Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts. The Army has been positioned in the mountains for anti-terror operations, while paramilitary forces and local police are on election duty to ensure a secure and incident-free environment.
The constituencies in the Doda region include Inderwal, Kishtwar, Paddar-Nagseni, Bhaderwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal. A total of 23,27,580 voters are eligible to participate, including 11,76,462 males, 11,51,058 females, and 60 third-gender electors. Among them, 1.23 lakh youth aged 18 to 19, 28,309 persons with disabilities (PwDs), and 15,774 elderly voters over 85 will also cast their votes.
A total of 14,000 polling staff will oversee the electoral process at 3,276 polling stations across the region. Notable candidates include former ministers and party leaders from BJP, NC, Congress, and independent candidates.
In Doda, former ministers Sunil Sharma and Shakti Parihar (BJP), Sajjad Kitchloo and Khalid Najib Suhrawardhy (NC), Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress), and others are contesting. Shagun Parihar, a young BJP candidate and kin of martyrs, is also a prominent figure in Kishtwar.
In South Kashmir, voters will determine the fate of 155 candidates across 16 constituencies, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam. A comprehensive network of polling stations has been established to facilitate the voting process, with the voting scheduled from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Key candidates in South Kashmir include NC’s Mohammad Khalil Bandh and PDP’s Waheed Ur Rehman Para in Pulwama, NC’s Hasnain Masoodi in Pampore, and other prominent political figures across various constituencies.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir, V K Birdi, confirmed that extensive security measures are in place to ensure the elections are conducted smoothly. Security forces are actively engaging in area domination and road opening parties to facilitate the safe movement of polling staff and voters.
As the first phase of polling unfolds today, the focus remains on ensuring free, fair, and secure elections for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
