Delhi: The first phase of polling for the Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir has begun. This election, taking place after a decade, will see 24 constituencies going to the polls. Sixteen constituencies are in the Kashmir region, while eight are in the Jammu region. Heavy security has been deployed at the polling booths. This is the first election since the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked. A total of 219 candidates from various parties are contesting in this first phase. Notable candidates include former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, CPI(M) Central Committee member Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, and former Congress president Ghulam Ahmad Mir (Kashmir).
Around 2.7 million voters are expected to cast their ballots in this phase, including 1.176 million men and 1.151 million women. A significant increase in voter turnout is anticipated compared to 2014, which saw a turnout of 61.21%. The competition will be intense in constituencies like Anantnag, Shrigufwara-Bijbehara, Pulwama, Banihal, and Rajpora.
In Kashmir, the main contest is between the regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Meanwhile, in Jammu, the competition is primarily between the two major parties, the BJP and Congress.
