219 candidates in final sprint for phase-I showdown

Jammu, Aug 30: On the last date of the withdrawal of nomination papers for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls in the 24 assembly constituencies, 25 candidates withdrew their candidature in the office of respective Returning Officers (ROs) across seven districts on Friday.

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, said that of the total 244 valid nominations, 25 candidates withdrew their nominations on the last date of withdrawal on Friday.

With this, only 219 validly nominated candidates now remain in the fray for the 24 assembly constituencies where polling will be held in the first phase of the J&K assembly polls on September 18.

Seven candidates withdrew their nomination in Doda district, followed by seven in Kishtwar, six in Ramban, three in Anantnag, one in Kulgam district, and one in Pulwama, while no candidate withdrew their nomination in Shopian district.

With this, 64 candidates remain in the final electoral fray in Anantnag district, followed by 45 in Pulwama, 27 in Doda, 25 in Kulgam, 22 in Kishtwar, 21 in Shopian, and 15 in Ramban.

In Kishtwar district, nine candidates remain in the final electoral fray in 48-Inderwal, seven in 49-Kishtwar, and six in 50-Padder-Nagseni AC.

In the Doda district, 10 candidates remain in the final electoral fray in 51-Bhadarwah, nine candidates in 52-Doda, and eight in 53-Doda West.

In Ramban district, eight candidates remain in the final electoral fray in 54-Ramban while seven will contest in 55-Banihal.

In the Pulwama district, 14 candidates remain in the final electoral fray in 32-Pampore, nine in 33-Tral, 12 in 34-Pulwama, and 10 in 35-Rajpora.

In the Shopian district, 10 candidates remain in the final electoral fray in 36-Zainapora and 11 candidates will contest in 37-Shopian AC.

In the Kulgam district, 6 candidates remain in the final electoral fray in 38-DH Pora, 10 in 39-Kulgam, and nine in 40-Devsar AC.

In the Anantnag district, 10 candidates remain in the final electoral fray in 41-Dooru, 10 in 42-Kokernag (ST), nine in 43-Anantnag West, 13 in 44-Anantnag, three in 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara, 13 in 46-Shangus-Anantnag East, and six in 47-Pahalgam.

A total of 279 candidates had filed their nomination papers before the respective ROs in 24 assembly constituencies till the last date of filing the nominations on August 27.

Of these, nomination papers of 35 candidates were rejected during scrutiny held on August 28 and now with the withdrawal of 25 candidates, 219 candidates remain in the final electoral fray.

More than 23.27 lakh voters including 5.66 lakh youth are eligible to exercise their franchise during the Phase-I of the J&K assembly polls scheduled to be held on September 18 of which 11.76 lakh are males and 11.51 lakh females along with 60 third-gender electors.