244 candidates cleared, 35 rejected

Jammu, Aug 28: Following the election schedule issued by Election Commission of India (ECI) for the conduct of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, the scrutiny of nomination papers for 24 assembly constituencies which are going to polling in the first phase was held on Wednesday in the office of the respective Returning Officers (ROs) across seven districts.

During the scrutiny of the nomination papers filed by 279 candidates, the candidature of 244 candidates was found valid as per the ECI guidelines, while the nomination papers of 35 candidates, which were found invalid, were rejected.

A statement from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) detailed the scrutiny process held today.

The nomination papers of 67 candidates were found valid in Anantnag district, followed by 46 in Pulwama, 34 in Doda, 29 in Kishtwar, 26 in Kulgam, 21 in Shopian, and 21 in Ramban district.

In the Kishtwar district, nomination papers of 12 candidates were found valid in 48-Inderwal, and 10 candidates in 49-Kishtwar, while the nomination papers of 7 candidates were accepted in 50-Padder-Nagseni.

In the Doda district, nomination papers of 14 candidates were accepted in 51-Bhadarwah, 11 candidates in 52-Doda, and 9 in 53-Doda West.

In Ramban district, 12 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 54-Ramban while nomination papers of nine candidates were accepted in 55-Banihal AC.

In the Pulwama district, nomination papers of 14 candidates were accepted in 32-Pampore, 10 candidates in 33-Tral, 12 in 34-Pulwama, and 10 in 35-Rajpora.

In the Shopian district, a total of 10 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 36-Zainapora while nomination papers of 11 candidates were accepted in 37-Shopian.

In the Kulgam district, nomination papers of six candidates were accepted in 38-Damhal Hanjipora, 10 in 39-Kulgam, and 10 in 40-Devsar.

In Anantnag, 12 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 41-Dooru, 10 in 42-Kokernag (ST), 10 in 43-Anantnag West, 13 candidates in 44-Anantnag, three in 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara, 13 in 46-Shangus-Anantnag East and 6 in 47-Pahalgam.

As per the election notification, the candidates can withdraw their nomination by August 30 (Friday) before 3 pm in the office of the respective ROs.

More than 23.27 lakh voters including 5.66 lakh youth are eligible to exercise their franchise during the Phase-I of the assembly polls scheduled from September 18 of which 11.76 lakh are males, 11.51 lakh females, and 60 third gender electors.