Srinagar: Voting has commenced in Jammu and Kashmir for its first Assembly elections in a decade, marking the first polls since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Phase 1, involving 24 constituencies across seven districts, began on Wednesday under heavy security measures, according to officials. This election is historic, as it’s the first time Jammu and Kashmir is voting as a Union Territory, following its bifurcation into J&K and Ladakh after the revocation of its special status.
In Phase 1, more than 23 lakh voters are set to decide the fate of 219 candidates, including 90 Independents. Notable candidates include CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, PDP’s Iltija Mufti, and BJP’s Sunil Sharma, among others. A total of 14,000 polling staff have been deployed to manage the process at over 3,200 polling stations, with extensive security provided by the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), J&K Police, and other forces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged high voter turnout, urging people to strengthen democracy. Home Minister Amit Shah also made a strong appeal, asking voters to back a government that will focus on youth education, employment, and the fight against separatism.
The first phase of the three-phase elections will be followed by subsequent polls on September 25 and October 1, with counting scheduled for October 8. This marks a significant moment in the region’s political history, with the last elections held in 2014.
