Voting Begins for J&K Assembly Elections, First Since Article 370 Abrogation

GG News Bureau
Jammu, 18th Sept. Voting for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections began on Wednesday, marking the first time since the abrogation of Article 370.

The first phase of the three-phase elections saw 24 constituencies across seven districts head to the polls amid tight security arrangements, officials reported.

Polling began at 7 a.m. across 3,276 stations, with 14,000 personnel overseeing the process.

This election, the first in J&K as a Union Territory, is taking place after a decade-long gap, with over 23 lakh voters deciding the fate of 219 candidates.

Prominent contenders include CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, AICC’s Ghulam Ahmad Mir, National Conference’s Sakina Itoo, and PDP’s Sartaj Madni.

In Jammu, key candidates include former ministers Sajjad Kitchloo (NC), Sunil Sharma (BJP), and Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress).

The polls are being conducted in three phases, with the next two rounds scheduled for September 25 and October 1.

Counting of votes will occur on October 8.