The last phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections kicked off today, with 40 constituencies across the Jammu and Kashmir regions in play. The polling, which started at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm, marks a significant event in the region’s political history as it is the first election since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. With a total of 39,18,220 voters eligible to participate, this phase holds immense importance in shaping the political future of the Union Territory.
The election is being conducted across seven districts, split between the two regions, with 24 constituencies in Jammu and 16 in Kashmir. A total of 5,060 polling stations have been set up to facilitate the voting process, with a workforce of over 20,000 polling staff deployed to ensure a smooth election.
J&K Assembly Polls Phase 3: Background and Key Campaign Issues
This election is especially significant as it is the first in over a decade in Jammu and Kashmir. It also comes after the historic abrogation of Article 370, which ended the region’s special status. The National Conference (NC) and Congress have formed an alliance for this election, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are contesting independently.
During the campaign period, several issues took center stage, including Article 370, Pakistan, terrorism, and reservations. These topics were widely debated by the major political players, including the BJP, Congress, NC, and PDP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti were key figures in the election campaign, underscoring the high stakes.
J&K Assembly Polls Phase 3: Special Arrangements for Voters
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) confirmed that the polling stations are equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs), such as drinking water, electricity, ramps, and separate queues for senior citizens and specially-abled individuals. “To ensure accessibility for all, wheelchairs have been arranged for voters who require assistance,” the CEO added.
Additionally, for the visually impaired, a Braille script ballot unit has been made available to ensure they can cast their votes independently. The voting process began with a mock poll in the presence of polling agents to confirm the smooth functioning of the voting machines.
J&K Assembly Polls Phase 3: Demographics and Voting Facilities
The eligible voter count for this phase includes 20,09,033 male voters, 19,09,130 female voters, and 57 voters identifying as third gender. Among them are 1.94 lakh youth aged 18 to 19 years, 35,860 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and 32,953 elderly voters above 85 years old.
Polling stations have been set up with comprehensive facilities to ensure a smooth voting experience. Each station is equipped with furniture, shelter, and other basic amenities. “All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the comfort and ease of voters, particularly the elderly and specially-abled,” stated the Chief Electoral Officer.
J&K Assembly Polls Phase 3: High-Profile Contestants and Key Seats
The political landscape of this election is crowded with key figures. Sajjad Lone, chairman of the People’s Conference, is contesting from two seats in Kupwara, while Dev Singh, president of the National Panthers Party, is running from the Chenani seat in Udhampur. Other notable candidates include former ministers like Raman Bhalla in R S Pura, Usman Majid in Bandipora, Nazir Ahmad Khan in Gurez, and Taj Mohiuddin in Uri.
The Jammu region, which has 24 constituencies, includes significant seats such as Bishnah-SC, Suchetgarh-SC, Jammu South, Jammu East, and Nagrota. In the Kashmir Valley, districts like Kupwara and Baramulla feature constituencies such as Karnah, Tregham, and Sopore, all crucial in determining the election’s outcome.
J&K Assembly Polls Phase 3: Security Measures for a Peaceful Polling
To ensure that the election is conducted peacefully, Anand Jain, the additional director general of police (ADGP) for the Jammu zone, assured the public that “adequate security has been deployed to ensure a terror-free and peaceful election process.” Election officials began their journey to the polling stations early in the morning, carrying essential poll materials under strict security.
The first two phases of the assembly elections saw voter turnouts of 61% and 57.31%, respectively, indicating strong participation across the Union Territory.
J&K Assembly Polls Phase 3: First Elections After Article 370
This election holds historical importance as it is the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The removal of the special status allowed previously excluded groups, such as West Pakistani refugees, Valmiki Samaj, and the Gorkha community, to participate in both the assembly and local elections for the first time. These communities had been excluded from the electoral process for decades due to the special provisions under Article 370.
As the final phase of the assembly elections draws to a close, the political future of 415 candidates will be decided. The results of the election are expected to have a significant impact on the governance of the region. The vote-counting process is scheduled for October 8, when the final outcomes will be announced.
