23.27 lakh electors to determine fate of 219 candidates today

Srinagar, Sep 17: With the stage set for the first phase of the J&K assembly polls, scheduled for September 18, the fate of 219 candidates will be determined by over 23.27 lakh voters.

The first phase of the assembly elections will cover 24 assembly constituencies across seven districts of J&K.

These include Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam in the Kashmir division, Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar in the Jammu Division.

In Kashmir division, 16 assembly constituencies going to polls are Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, D H Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, and Pahalgam.

In Chenab Valley, eight assembly constituencies going to polls are Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal.

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

Underlining the significance of the role to be played by the youth of J&K in strengthening the democracy, as many as 5.66 lakh youth are eligible to vote in phase-1 of the Assembly Election.

Youth voters are a significant demographic, with 5.66 lakh eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 29, including 1,23,960  lakh 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.

With this, 64 candidates are in the 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 are in the fray in 48-Inderwal; seven in 49-Kishtwar, and six in 50-Padder-Nagseni.

In Doda district, 10 candidates are in the fray in 51-Bhaderwah; nine in 52-Doda, and eight in 53-Doda West.

In Ramban district, eight candidates are contesting in 54-Ramban while seven would contest in 55-Banihal.

Similarly, in the Pulwama district, 14 candidates are in the fray in 32-Pampore, nine in 33-Tral, 12 in 34-Pulwama, and 10 in 35-Rajpora.

In the Shopian district, 10 candidates are in the fray in 36-Zainapora and 11 in 37-Shopian.

In Kulgam district, six candidates are in the fray in 38-DH Pora; 10 in 39-Kulgam; and nine are contesting in 40-Devsar.

In Anantnag district, 10 candidates are in the 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 are contesting in 47-Pahalgam.

The Doda district has a total of 3,10,613 registered voters, including 1,60,057 males, 1,50,521 females, and eight transgender across the three assembly constituencies. A total of 534 polling stations are spread across these constituencies.

The Anantnag district comprises seven assembly constituencies with 6,67,843 electorate which includes 3,36,200 males, 3,31,639 females, and four transgender voters.

A total of 844 polling stations have been established across the district.

The Ramban district has a total of 2,24,214 voters across its two assembly constituencies including 1,16,019 male voters, 1,08,193 female voters, and one transgender voter. A total of 365 polling stations are spread across the two assembly constituencies.

Shopian district is divided into two assembly constituencies with a total of 2,09,062 registered voters including 1,04,894 males, 1,04,161 females, and seven transgender voters. The ECI has established 251 polling stations across both constituencies.

The Pulwama district has registered a total of 4,07,637 voters including 2,02,475 males, 2,05,141 females, and 21 transgender across its four assembly constituencies. The ECI has established 481 polling stations throughout the district.

The Kulgam district comprises three Assembly constituencies, with 3,28,782  registered voters, including 1,64,852 males, 1,63,917 females, and 13 transgender voters. A total of 372 polling stations have been established in the district.

Kishtwar district, with three assembly segments and a total of 1,79,374 electors including 91,935 males, 87,435 females, and four transgender voters are poised to exercise their right to franchise.

The ECI has established 429 polling stations across the district.

To facilitate the voters for smooth and hassle-free electoral participation, the ECI has established 3276 polling stations with 100 percent webcasting across 24 assembly constituencies.

These include 302 urban polling stations and 2974 rural polling stations.

To enhance voter participation, there would be 24 polling booths managed by women, known as Pink Polling Stations, 24 polling stations manned by specially-abled persons and 24 polling stations manned by youth. Also, there would be 24 green polling stations to spread messages about environmental concerns and 17 unique polling stations.

The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm.