J&K Gears Up for Historic Assembly Polls: Phase 1 to Begin Tomorrow
Pampore – After a decade-long hiatus, Jammu and Kashmir is poised for a significant electoral battle, as Phase I of the assembly elections kicks off tomorrow, September 18. This marks the first assembly polls in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
In this initial phase, voters across 24 constituencies will head to the polls. These constituencies span the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban, as well as the southern districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian. The campaign period has concluded, with candidates from major political parties and independent contenders engaging voters across towns and remote villages alike.
A total of 3,276 polling stations have been established across these seven districts, with 302 in urban areas and 2,974 in rural regions. More than 14,000 polling staff, including presiding officers, have been deployed to ensure the smooth functioning of the election process.
Over 2.3 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots, including 1.17 million men, 1.15 million women, and 60 third-gender voters. The electorate also includes 1.23 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19, 28,309 persons with disabilities (PwDs), and 15,774 senior citizens aged over 85. Polling will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with provisions to extend voting hours if queues persist.
Every polling station will be equipped with essential amenities like drinking water, electricity, ramps, and toilets. Special provisions include wheelchairs for PwDs, braille-script candidate lists, and dedicated queues for senior citizens and differently-abled voters. Unique polling stations, including 24 “Pink Polling Stations” managed by women, and 24 “Green Polling Stations” promoting environmental awareness, have been set up to foster inclusivity and civic participation.
Tight Security Measures in Place
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi, confirmed that a multi-layered security setup has been implemented to ensure peaceful elections. The Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP), and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) have been deployed to provide security for polling stations and strong rooms.
“Our priority is to ensure free, fair, and fearless elections where people can exercise their democratic right in a secure environment,” Birdi said. He added that the security forces are on high alert to prevent any disruption during the election process.
This year’s assembly elections will unfold in three phases, with voting for 24 seats scheduled for tomorrow. The second phase will take place on September 25, covering 26 constituencies, followed by the third phase on October 1 for the remaining 40 seats. The results will be declared after the counting of votes on October 8.