Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Polls: 279 candidates file nominations for phase 1 voting; 72, highest in Anantnag

A total of 279 candidates have filed their nomination papers in 24 assembly segments across seven districts, which will go to polls in the first phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18. Of the 24 seats up for vote in the first phase, 16 are in the Valley and eight in the Jammu region.

Tuesday was the last day to file nominations for the first phase, which covers the assembly segments in the south. cashmere Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag and Shopian districts and assembly seats in the Chenab Valley area of ​​Jammu region, comprising Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts.

The highest number of 72 candidates filed their nominations in Anantnag district, followed by 55 in Pulwama district, 41 in Doda district, 32 in Kishtwar district, 28 each in the following: Shopping store and Kulgam districts, while 23 candidates filed nominations in Ramban district, according to a statement issued by the office of the chief electoral officer, as cited by a PTI report.

In Jammu Division, for the three assembly constituencies in Kishtwar district, 13 candidates filed nominations from Inderwal; 11 from Kishtwar; while eight candidates filed nominations from Padder-Nagseni, the statement said.

While the first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to begin on September 18, the other two rounds will be held on September 25 and October 1. Votes will be counted on October 4.

While the National Conference is contesting the elections in alliance with the Congress Party, the People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party are the other main players.

Assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir after about a decade and for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The former state has been under central rule since 2018.

In the three seats of Doda district, 16 candidates have filed nominations from Bhadarwah seat; 16 from Doda; while nine candidates have filed their nominations from Doda West, the statement said.

For the two assembly constituencies in Ramban district, 13 candidates have filed nominations for the Ramban seat and 10 for the Banihal seat.

In the Kashmir division, for the four constituencies of Pulwama District16 candidates have filed nominations from Pampore; 13 from Tral; 14 from Pulwama; while 12 candidates have filed nominations from Rajpora.

As many as 15 candidates have filed nominations from Zainapora and 13 from Shopian in Shopian district.

In the three constituencies of Kulgam district, six candidates filed their nominations from DH Pora and 11 each from Kulgam and Devsar seats.

For the seven constituencies in Anantnag district, 12 candidates have filed nominations from Dooru; 11 from Kokernag (ST) seat; 14 from Anantnag West; 13 from Anantnag; three from Srigufwara-Bijbehara; 13 from Shangus-Anantnag East; while six candidates have filed nominations from Pahalgam, the statement said.

More than 23.27 lakh voters, including 11.76 lakh male voters, 11.51 lakh female voters and 60 third gender voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise during Phase I of the Jammu and Kashmir elections.

Nomination papers for Phase 1 will be examined by the respective electoral officials on August 28, while candidates can withdraw their papers before August 30.