NEW DELHI: The stage is set for the third and final phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, with 40 constituencies up for grabs. The high-stakes campaigning drew to a close on Sunday evening, setting the stage for a crucial vote.
The constituencies are split between the two regions, with 24 in Jammu and the rest in Kashmir. This election is significant as it is the first one in a decade and the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The National Conference and the Congress have formed an alliance, while the People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the other major contenders.
Throughout the campaigning period, key issues such as Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism, and reservation have been hotly debated by the major political parties, particularly the BJP, Congress, NC, and PDP.
High-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and former J&K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abudullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, have been actively campaigning on the ground for weeks, underscoring the importance of this election.
Crucial final phase of J&K Assembly polls to shape future of 415 candidates
As the final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections approaches, the electoral authorities have deployed a massive workforce of over 20,000 polling staff across seven districts. This crucial phase will determine the political future of 415 candidates, including prominent figures such as former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand and Muzaffar Beig.
One of the significant aspects of this election is the participation of communities that were previously excluded from the electoral process. The inclusion of West Pakistani refugees, Valmiki Samaj, and the Gorkha community in the assembly, urban local bodies, and panchayat elections has been made possible by the abrogation of Article 370.
Voting time and special arrangements
The polling process will commence at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm. Prior to the start of the actual voting, a mock poll will be conducted in the presence of polling agents to ensure the smooth functioning of the voting machines.
To ensure a comfortable and accessible voting experience, each polling station will be equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs). These facilities include the provision of drinking water, electricity, toilets, ramps, furniture, and a veranda or shed for shelter. Additionally, wheelchairs will be made available to assist those in need. The ballot unit will also feature a list of contesting candidates in Braille script, catering to visually impaired voters.
In certain cases, separate queues will be arranged for senior citizens and specially-abled individuals, allowing them to cast their votes with greater ease and priority.
39 lakh voters in J&K final phase
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) announced that a total of 39,18,220 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming election. The voter demographics consist of 20,09,033 male voters, 19,09,130 female voters, and 57 third-gender voters.
Additionally, the CEO mentioned that 1.94 lakh youth between the ages of 18 and 19 years are among the eligible voters in this phase. Furthermore, 35,860 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and 32,953 elderly voters above the age of 85 are also entitled to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Final phase to be conducted across 40 constituencies
The final phase of the elections will be conducted across 40 assembly constituencies, with 24 located in the Jammu region and 16 in the Kashmir valley.
In the Jammu division, Jammu district has the highest number of segments at 11, which include Bishnah-SC, Suchetgarh-SC, R S Pura, Jammu South, Bahu, Jammu East, Nagrota, Jammu West, Jammu North, Akhnoor-SC and Chhamb. Kathua district follows with six seats, namely Bani, Billawar, Basohli, Jasrota, Kathua-SC and Hiranagar. Udhampur district has four constituencies, including Udhampur West, Udhampur East, Chenni and Ramnagar-SC, while Samba district has three seats: Ramgarh-SC, Samba and Vijaypur.
In the Kashmir division, Kupwara district encompasses 16 assembly constituencies, which are “Karnah, Tregham, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara and Langate.” Baramulla district includes Sopore, Rafiabad, Uri, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Wagoora-Kreeri and Pattan,” while Bandipora district consists of “Sonawari, Bandipora, Gurez (ST).
To facilitate the voting process, authorities have established a total of 5,060 polling stations throughout the districts participating in this phase of the elections.
Comprehensive security for J&K final polls
Anand Jain, the additional director general of police (ADGP) for the Jammu zone, has assured the public that sufficient security measures are in place to guarantee a “terror-free and peaceful” polling process in the areas set to participate in the upcoming elections.
This morning, a large number of election officials departed from their respective district headquarters, carrying the necessary poll materials. They are expected to reach their assigned polling stations by evening, all while being accompanied by stringent security arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
Key contestants
The electoral battle in Jammu and Kashmir features several notable figures vying for seats in the upcoming elections. Sajjad Lone, the chairman of the People’s Conference and a former minister, is contesting from two seats in Kupwara, while Dev Singh, the president of the National Panthers Party India, is running from the Chenani seat in Udhampur.
Among the other prominent candidates are former ministers such as Raman Bhalla (R S Pura), Usman Majid (Bandipora), Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurez), Taj Mohiuddin (Uri), Basharat Bukhari (Wagoora-Kreeri), Imran Ansari (Pattan), Ghulam Hassan Mir (Gulmarg), Choudhary Lal Singh (Basohli), Rajiv Jasrotia (Jasrota), Manohar Lal Sharma (Billawar), Sham Lal Sharma and Ajay Kumar Sadhotra (Jammu North), Mula Ram (Marh), Chander Prakash Ganga and Manjit Singh (Vijapur). These experienced politicians are considered strong contenders in their respective constituencies.
The first phase of Assembly elections took place on September 18, followed by the second round on September 25 in six districts: Ganderbal, Budgam, and Srinagar in the Kashmir region, and Rajouri, Reasi, and Poonch in the Jammu region.
The vote-counting process is scheduled for October 8. According to the Election Commission of India’s announcement on Friday, voter participation reached 61 per cent in the first phase and 57.31 per cent in the second phase of polling across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.