483 candidates file nominations for phase III

Jammu, Sep 12: A total of 483 candidates filed their nomination papers across 40 assembly constituencies of seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir which are going to polling in the third and final phase of J&K assembly elections.

Thursday was the last day of filing nomination papers for the third phase of assembly polls scheduled to be held on October 1.

A total of 483 candidates filed 518 nomination papers for the third phase of the J&K Assembly polls, a statement from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said.

A total of 122 candidates filed their nominations in the Jammu district, followed by 111 in Baramulla, 80 in Kupwara, 50 in Bandipora, 47 in Kathua, 40 in Udhampur, and 33 in Samba.

In Jammu division, for the four assembly constituencies in Udhampur district, 13 candidates filed nomination from 59-Udhampur West; 11 from 60-Udhampur East; nine from 61-Chenani; and seven from 62-Ramnagar (SC).

For the six assembly constituencies in Kathua district, nine candidates filed nomination from 63-Bani; five from 64-Billawar AC; seven from 65-Basohli AC; 10 from 66-Jasrota AC; 6 from 67-Kathua (SC) AC; while 10 candidates have filed nomination from 68-Hiranagar AC.

In Samba district, seven candidates filed nominations from 69-Ramgarh (SC); 15 from 70-Samba; and 11 from 71-Vijaypur.

For the 11 assembly constituencies in Jammu district, 13 candidates filed nomination from 72-Bishnah (SC); 14 from 73-Suchetgarh (SC); 14 from 74-R S Pura-Jammu South; 12 from 75-Bahu; 10 from 76-Jammu East; eight from 77-Nagrota; 13 from 78-Jammu West; 17 from 79-Jammu North; six from 80-Marh (SC); five from 81-Akhnoor (SC); and 10 from 82-Chhamb AC.

In Kashmir, for the six assembly constituencies in Kupwara district, 12 candidates filed nomination from 1-Karnah; 13 from 2-Trehgam; nine from 3-Kupwara; 13 from 4-Lolab; 11 from 5-Handwara; and 22 from 6-Langate.

For the seven assembly constituencies in Baramulla district, 23 candidates have filed nomination from 7-Sopore; 14 from 8-Rafiabad; seven from 9-Uri; 26 from 10-Baramulla; 14 from 11-Gulmarg; 13 from 12-Wagoora-Kreeri; and 14 from 13-Pattan.

In Bandipora district, 22 candidates have filed nominations from 14-Sonawari; 23 from 15-Bandipora; and five from 16-Gurez (ST).

The notification for the third phase was issued on September 5 and the last date for filing the nominations was Thursday, September 12 till 3 pm.

The nomination papers will be scrutinised by the respective Returning Officers on Friday, September 13, while the candidates can withdraw their nomination paper by or before September 17 upto 3 pm in the office of the Returning Officer.

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

Polling for these 40 assembly constituencies in the third phase is scheduled for October 1 and the voting will be conducted from 7 am to 6 pm.