First phase polling today amid multi-layer security cover

Over 23 lakh eligible voters to seal fate of 219 candidates in 24 Assembly Segments

Srinagar/Jammu, Sep 17: Amid multi-layer security cover in place, the first phase of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections, scheduled for today (Wednesday), will determine the fate of 219 candidates as over 23.27 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Inspector General of Police Kashmir, V K Birdhi said that a multi-layer security grid is in place for the smooth conduct of polls. “All polling booths have been covered. Special nakas have been set up at inter-State and inter-district levels. Area domination and night patrolling is also taking place. We are committed to ensure incident free polling,” he said.

The first phase of the elections will cover 24 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) across seven districts of Jammu & Kashmir. These districts include Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam in the Kashmir Division and Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar in the Jammu Division.

Political analysts say the National Conference (NC) has a clear edge in several seats in south Kashmir. However, there is a neck-and-neck contest between NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in other seats. Independents may also provide tough competition to party candidates.

In Pulwama district, there is a direct contest between NC's Mohammad Khalil Bandh and PDP's Waheed ur Rehman Para for the Pulwama seat. In Pampore, NC's Hasnain Masoodi and PDP's Zahoor Ahmad Mir are the main contenders.

In Rajpora, NC holds an advantage as the PDP candidate recently rejoined the party. However, Democratic Progressive Azad Party's candidate, Ghulam Nabi Niloora, whose father and brother were former NC MLAs, could divide the NC vote and give the PDP a chance, analysts say.

In Shopian district, the division of NC votes may benefit the PDP. Shabir Ahmad Kullay, who resigned from NC recently, is emerging as the primary contender. Kullay secured around 12,000 votes in 2014 when he ran as an independent.

In Zainapora, the split of PDP votes could benefit NC. Former MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir resigned from the PDP and is now an independent. However, support from Jamaat-e-Islami and some DDC members is boosting his chances of a strong challenge.

In Kulgam district, NC has a clear edge in the DH Pora seat, as the PDP vote is split between old and new candidates. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, a joint candidate of the NC-Congress alliance, has a clear lead over PDP's Mohammad Amin and PC's Nazir Ahmad Laway. However, Jamaat-backed independent candidate Sayar Ahmad is emerging as a threat to Tarigami.

In Anantnag district, there are neck-to-neck contests between NC's Ab Majeed Bhat Larmi and PDP's Ab Gaffar Sofi for the Anantnag West seat, as well as between NC's Reyaz Ahmad Khan and PDP's Ab Reham Veeri in Anantnag East. In Bijbehara, NC's Bashir Ahmad Veeri and PDP's Iltija Mufti are also in a tight race.

On the ST-reserved Larnoo seat, a close contest is expected between NC-Congress candidate Zafar Choudhary and PDP's Haroon Choudhary. NC-Congress alliance candidates Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo have an edge over PDP's Ashraf Malik and Dr Shabir Siddiqui in Dooru and Pahalgam constituencies, respectively.

A senior police official said that all arrangements have been made for incident-free polling in Jammu and Kashmir. Arrangements across south Kashmir and the Jammu Division are in place to ensure peaceful elections.

Polling and voter arrangements

Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama, Dr Basharat Qayoom, confirmed that polling parties have been dispatched, and arrangements for all 481 polling stations are in place as per the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI). All polling stations will have webcasting, which will be centrally monitored, he said. Youth voters, senior citizens, and women voters are reportedly excited to cast their votes.

In other districts, returning officers stated that polling parties have been dispatched, and all arrangements are ready for voters to cast their ballots.

Assembly constituencies

In the Kashmir Division, 16 ACs are up for election: Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, and Pahalgam.

In the Jammu Division, 8 ACs—Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal—are also going to the polls.

According to the latest electoral rolls, 23, 27,580 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this phase, comprising 11,76,462 male voters, 11,51,058 female voters, and 60 third-gender voters.

Youth voters are a significant demographic, with 5.66 lakh eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 29, including 1, 23,960 voters aged 18 to 19. Among these, 10,261 are male and 9,329 are female first-time voters.

This phase will also see participation from 28,309 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and 15,774 voters above the age of 85.

Candidate breakdown

In this phase:

Anantnag district: 64 candidates, Pulwama district: 45 candidates, Doda district: 27 candidates, Kulgam district: 25 candidates, Kishtwar district: 22 candidates, Shopian district: 21 candidates and Ramban district: 15 candidates.

District voter distribution

Doda district: 3,10,613 registered voters, 534 polling stations; Anantnag district: 6,67,843 electorates, 844 polling stations; Ramban District: 2,24,214 voters, 365 polling stations; Shopian District: 2,09,062 registered voters, 251 polling stations; Pulwama district: 4,07,637 voters, 481 polling stations; Kulgam district: 3,28,782 voters, 372 polling stations; and Kishtwar district: 1,79,374 electors, 429 polling stations

To ensure smooth participation, the ECI has established 3,276 polling stations with 100% webcasting, including 302 urban and 2,974 rural stations. Special initiatives include 24 Pink Polling Stations (managed by women), 24 polling stations for specially-abled persons, 24 youth-managed polling stations, 24 green polling stations to spread environmental awareness, and 17 unique polling stations. Voting will take place from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm tomorrow.