The first phase of the 2024 Legislative Assembly election will be held on September 18 and the fate of 219 candidates will be decided by over 23.27 lakh voters.
In Kashmir division, 16 ACs are up for election: Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East and Pahalgam. Meanwhile, in Jammu division, eight ACs — Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban and Banihal — will also go to the polls.
As per the latest electoral roll, a total of 232,758 lakh voters are eligible to vote in this phase, including 117,646.2 lakh male voters, 115,105.8 lakh female voters and 60 voters of the third gender. As many as 5.66 lakh youths are eligible to vote in the first phase of the assembly elections, highlighting the important role played by the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in strengthening democracy. Youth voters are an important demographic group, of which 5.66 lakh eligible voters are between the ages of 18 and 29, including 123,960 lakh voters aged between 18 and 19. Of these, 10,261 are males and 9,329 are first-time female voters.
In this phase, 28,309 disabled persons and 15,774 voters aged 85 and above will also participate in the election. Among them, 64 candidates are in Anantnag district, 45 in Pulwama district, 27 in Doda district, 25 in Kulgam district, 22 in Kishtwar district, 21 in Chopin district and 15 in Ramban district. In Kishtwar district, there are 9 candidates in 48-Indwar district, 7 candidates in 49-Kishtwar district and 6 candidates in 50-Pader-Nagsaini district. In Doda district, there are 10 candidates in 51-Badwar district, 9 candidates in 52-Doda district and 8 candidates in 53-Dodasi district. In Ramban district, 8 candidates will contest in 54-Rambam AC; while 7 candidates will contest in 55-Banihal AC. Similarly, in Pulwama district, 14 candidates are contesting from 32-Pampur AC; 9 candidates are contesting from 33-Tral AC; 12 candidates are contesting from 34-Pulwama AC; and 10 candidates are contesting from 35-Rajpora AC.
In Chopin district, 10 candidates are in the race in 36-Zainapora ward and 11 candidates in 37-Shopian ward. In Kulgam district, 6 candidates are in the race in 38-DH Pora ward, 10 candidates in 39-Kulgam ward and 9 candidates in 40-Devsar ward. Finally, in Anantnag district, 10 candidates are in the race in 41-Dooru ward, 10 candidates in 42-Kokernag (ST) ward, 9 candidates in 43-Anantnag West ward, 13 candidates in 44-Anantnag ward, 3 candidates in 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara ward, 13 candidates in 46-Shangus-Anantnag East ward and 6 candidates in 47-Pahalgam ward. Doda district has a total of 3,10,613 registered voters, including 1,60,057 men, 1,50,521 women and 8 transgenders, spread across three constituencies. There are a total of 534 polling stations in these constituencies, ensuring that every registered voter gets a chance to participate in the democratic process. Anantnag district consists of seven constituencies with a total of 6,67,843 voters, including 3,36,200 men, 3,31,639 women and 4 transgender voters. A comprehensive network of 844 polling stations has been set up across the district.
Ramban district has a total of 2,24,214 registered voters in its two constituencies, including 1,16,019 male voters, 1,08,193 female voters and one transgender voter. A total of 365 polling stations have been set up in the two constituencies to ensure that every registered voter gets a chance to participate in the democratic process. Chaupin district is divided into two constituencies and has a total of 2,09,062 registered voters, including 1,04,894 males, 1,04,161 females and seven transgender voters. To facilitate voting, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 251 polling stations in the two constituencies. Pulwama district has a total of 4,07,637 registered voters, including 2,02,475 males, 2,05,141 females and 21 transgenders, spread across its four constituencies. The ECI has set up 481 polling stations across the constituency. Kulgam district comprises three constituencies and has a total of 3,28,782 registered voters, including 1,64,852 men, 1,63,917 women and 13 transgender persons. The ECI has set up a comprehensive network of 372 polling stations to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Kishtwar district is divided into three constituencies with a total of 1,79,374 voters, including 91,935 men and 87,435 women, in addition to four transgender voters, who will exercise their franchise. To facilitate voting, the Election Commission of India has set up 429 polling stations across the district. To facilitate smooth and easy participation of voters in the elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 3276 polling stations in 24 constituencies with 100% webcasting. These include 302 urban polling stations and 2974 rural polling stations. To increase voter participation, 24 polling stations managed by women (called pink polling stations), 24 polling stations managed by persons with disabilities and 24 polling stations managed by youth will be set up.
Besides, 24 green polling stations will be set up to spread information on environmental protection and 17 unique polling stations will be set up.
Voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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