279 candidates file nomination papers for Phase-I

Srinagar, Aug 27: A total of 279 candidates have filed their nomination papers across 24 assembly constituencies of seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir which are going to polls in the first phase of J&K assembly elections.

Tuesday was the last day to file nomination papers for the first phase of assembly polls scheduled to be held on September 18.

A statement from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that among the candidates who have filed their nominations, 72 filed in Anantnag district, followed by 55 in Pulwama, 41 in Doda, 32 in Kishtwar, 28 in Shopian, 28 in Kulgam, and 23 in Ramban district.

For the three assembly constituencies in Kishtwar district, a total of 13 candidates have filed nominations from 48-Inderwal, 11 from 49-Kishtwar, and eight from 50-Padder-Nagseni.

In the three assembly constituencies in Doda, 16 filed nominations from 51-Bhaderwah, 16 from 52-Doda, and nine from 53-Doda West.

For the two assembly constituencies in Ramban district, 13 candidates filed nomination from 54-Ramban while 10 from 55-Banihal.

For the four assembly constituencies in Pulwama district, 16 candidates filed nominations from 32-Pampore, 13 from 33-Tral, 14 from 34-Pulwama, and 12 from 35-Rajpora.

In the Shopian district, 15 candidates filed nomination from 36-Zainapora while 13 filed from 37-Shopian.

In the three assembly constituencies in Kulgam district, six candidates filed nominations from 38-Damhal Hanjipora, 11 from 39-Kulgam, and 11 from 40-Devsar.

For the seven assembly constituencies in Anantnag district, 12 candidates filed nomination from 41-Dooru, 11 from 42-Kokernag - a seat reserved for ST candidates, 14 from 43-Anantnag West, 13 from 44-Anantnag, three from 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara, 13 from 46-Shangus-Anantnag East, and six from 47-Pahalgam.

Over 23.27 lakh voters which include11.76 lakh males, 11.51 lakh females, and 60 third-gender electors are eligible to exercise their franchise during the Phase-I of the J&K assembly polls scheduled to be held on September 18. 

A total of 5.66 lakh youth voters are also eligible for voting.

The notification for Phase I polls was issued on August 20 and the last date for filing the nominations for Phase I was August 27 till 3:00 p.m.

The nomination papers would be scrutinised by the respective Returning Officers (ROs) on August 28 while the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by August 30 up to 3:00 p.m. in the office of the RO.

Thereafter, validly nominated candidates will be in the electoral fray.