Pampore: Jammu and Kashmir is set for a significant political moment as the first phase of assembly elections takes place tomorrow, September 18, marking the region’s first electoral contest in a decade. This comes as a pivotal event post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The first phase will cover 24 assembly constituencies across the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban, as well as the southern districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian in Kashmir. The election campaign in these districts has concluded, with candidates from political parties and independent contestants striving to engage voters across every corner of these regions.
A total of 3,276 polling stations, spread across both urban and rural areas, have been set up to ensure smooth voting. This includes 302 urban and 2,974 rural polling stations, with a deployment of over 14,000 staff members. Each polling station will be managed by a team of four, including a presiding officer.
In this first phase, 23,27,580 eligible voters will decide the fate of the candidates, consisting of 11,76,462 male voters, 11,51,058 female voters, and 60 voters from the third gender. Notably, over 1.23 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19, along with 28,309 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and 15,774 elderly voters above 85 years, will participate in the democratic process.
Voting is scheduled from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with mock polls conducted in the presence of polling agents before the official voting begins. To ensure no one is left behind, voting will continue past 6:00 PM if voters are still in line within the polling station premises.
Polling stations are equipped with essential facilities, including drinking water, electricity, toilets, ramps, and furniture. Special provisions such as separate queues for senior citizens and PwDs, wheelchair availability, and braille script ballot units aim to make the voting process inclusive and accessible. Additionally, 24 women-led “Pink Polling Stations,” 24 polling booths run by specially-abled individuals, and 24 youth-managed stations will be operational. Green polling stations will also promote environmental awareness, while unique polling stations aim to encourage greater voter participation.
Tight Security Ahead of Polls
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, V.K. Birdi, announced that multi-tier security arrangements are in place to ensure peaceful and fair elections. Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP), and local police will be deployed to safeguard polling stations, strong rooms, and voters.
“Our focus is to provide a secure environment so that the maximum number of people can exercise their democratic right,” Birdi said, ensuring that all measures have been taken to prevent any disturbances during the election period.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases, with 24 seats up for voting tomorrow, followed by 26 seats in the second phase on September 25, and 40 seats in the final phase on October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.
