Polling for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections began on Wednesday amid tight security. Voting started at 7 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m., according to the Election Commission of India. This phase includes 24 Assembly constituencies, with 16 seats in the Kashmir region and 8 in the Jammu region. A total of 219 candidates are contesting in this phase, with a broader total of 873 candidates competing across 90 Assembly constituencies.
In the lead-up to this phase, 486 candidates filed nominations for 40 constituencies. Following scrutiny and withdrawals, 415 candidates remain in the electoral race for the final phase. The next phases of polling are scheduled for September 25 and October 1, with the vote count taking place on October 8.
This election is significant as it marks the first Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Various political parties, including the Congress-National Conference alliance, PDP, BJP, and People’s Conference, are vying for the 90 seats. The elections are being closely watched, given the region’s complex political landscape and recent administrative changes.
