449 candidates cleared for phase III polls

Srinagar, Sep 13: A total of 449 candidates were cleared for the phase III of the J&K Assembly polls.

In accordance with the election schedule issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the conduct of J&K Assembly polls, the scrutiny of nomination papers for 40 assembly constituencies which are going to polling in third and final phase was held on Friday, in the office of the respective Returning Officers across seven districts.

During the scrutiny of the 518 nomination papers filed by 486 candidates, the candidature of 449 candidates was found valid as per the guidelines of the ECI.

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

The nomination papers of 113 candidates were found valid in Jammu district, followed by 107 in Baramulla, 75 in Kupwara, 46 in Bandipora, 38 in Kathua, 38 in Udhampur, and 32 in Samba district.

In Jammu division, for the four assembly constituencies in Udhampur district, nomination papers of 13 candidates were found valid in 59-Udhampur West; nine in 60-Udhampur East; nine in 61-Chenani; and 7 in 62-Ramnagar (SC).

In Kathua district, nomination papers of nine candidates were found valid in 63-Bani; four in 64-Billawar; five in 65-Basohli; nine in 66-Jasrota; five in 67-Kathua (SC); and 6 in 68-Hiranagar.

In the Samba district, the nomination papers of seven candidates were found valid in 69-Ramgarh (SC); 14 in 70-Samba; and 11 in 71-Vijaypur.

For the 11 assembly constituencies in Jammu district, the nomination papers of 11 candidates were found valid in 72-Bishnah (SC); 13 in 73-Suchetgarh (SC); 14 in 74-R S Pura-Jammu South; 12 in 75-Bahu; nine in 76-Jammu East; eight in 77-Nagrota; 12 in 78-Jammu West; 17 in 79-Jammu North; six in 80-Marh (SC); three in 81-Akhnoor (SC); and 8 in 82-Chhamb.

In Kashmir division, for the six assembly constituencies In Kupwara, nomination papers of 11 candidates were found valid in 1-Karnah; 13 in 2-Trehgam; nine in 3-Kupwara; 13 in 4-Lolab; eight in 5-Handwara; and 21 in 6-Langate.

In Baramulla district, nomination papers of 22 candidates were found valid in 7-Sopore; 12 in 8-Rafiabad; seven in 9-Uri; 25 in 10-Baramulla; 14 in 11-Gulmarg; 13 in 12-Wagoora-Kreeri; and 14 in 13-Pattan.

In Bandipora district, the nomination papers of 20 candidates were found valid in 14-Sonawari; 21 in 15-Bandipora; and five in 16-Gurez (ST).

As per the election notification, the candidates can withdraw their nominations in the office of the respective Returning Officers before the scheduled withdrawal date.

These 40 assembly constituencies are going to polls in the third phase on October 1 and the voting will be conducted from 7 am to 6 pm.