More than 23.27 lakh voters, including 5.66 lakh youths, are eligible to exercise their electoral franchise during Phase 1 of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. (Getty)
The poll body said the highest number of candidates — 16 — filed nominations in Pampore, Bhaderwah, and Doda assembly constituencies each
A total of 279 candidates have filed their nomination papers across 24 assembly constituencies of seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir that will go to polls in the first phase, an official statement said on Tuesday, the last day of filing nomination papers. The election for the first phase will be held on September 18.
In the statement from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, the poll body said the highest number of candidates, 16, filed nominations in Pampore, Bhaderwah, and Doda assembly constituencies (AC) each.
The notification for Phase-I was issued on August 20 and the last date for filing nominations was August 27 till 3pm. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on August 28, while withdrawal of nomination will be allowed before August 30. Thereafter, validly nominated candidates will be in the electoral fray.
“A total of 72 candidates have filed their nominations in Anantnag district, followed by 55 in Pulwama district, 41 in Doda district, 32 in Kishtwar district, 28 in Shopian district, 28 in Kulgam district, while 23 candidates have filed nominations in Ramban district,” the statement added.
Jammu
In Jammu division, for the three ACs in Kishtwar district, a total of 13 candidates have filed nomination from 48-Inderwal AC; 11 candidates have filed nomination from 49-Kishtwar AC; while eight candidates have filed nomination from 50-Padder-Nagseni AC.
In the three ACs in Doda district, 16 candidates have filed nomination from 51-Bhadarwah AC; 16 candidates have filed nomination from 52-Doda AC; while 9 candidates have filed nomination from 53-Doda West AC.
For the two ACs in Ramban district, a total of 13 candidates have filed nomination from 54-Ramban AC; while 10 candidates have filed nomination from 55-Banihal AC.
Kashmir
In Kashmir division, for the four ACs in Pulwama district, 16 candidates have filed nomination from 32-Pampore AC; 13 candidates have filed nomination from 33-Tral AC; 14 candidates have filed nomination from 34-Pulwama AC; while 12 candidates have filed nomination from 35-Rajpora AC.
A total of 15 candidates have filed nomination from 36-Zainapora AC, while 13 candidates have filed nomination from 37-Shopian AC in Shopian district.
In the three ACs in Kulgam district, six candidates have filed nomination from 38-DH Pora AC; 11 candidates have filed nomination from 39-Kulgam AC; while 11 candidates have filed nomination from 40-Devsar AC.
“For the seven ACs in Anantnag district, a total of 12 candidates have filed nomination from 41-Dooru AC; 11 candidates have filed nomination from 42-Kokernag (ST) AC; 14 candidates have filed nomination from 43-Anantnag West AC; 13 candidates have filed nomination from 44-Anantnag AC; 3 candidates have filed nomination from 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara AC; 13 candidates have filed nomination from 46-Shangus-Anantnag East AC; while 6 candidates have filed nomination from 47-Pahalgam AC,” the statement added.
Voters
More than 23.27 lakh voters, including 5.66 lakh youths, are eligible to exercise their electoral franchise during Phase 1 of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. This included 11.76 lakh male voters and 11.51 lakh female voters along with 60 third gender electors.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections had witnessed a 25 per cent rise in the number of candidates compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The increased number of candidates is an indication of democracy deepening in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The high number of nominations reflects the palpable enthusiasm in Jammu and Kashmir for the festival of democracy,” EC said.
CEC Rajiv Kumar, while announcing the schedule for the assembly elections, had underlined that the roots of democracy are to be reinforced layer by layer in J&K, with enthusiastic involvement from parties, candidates, and voters playing a crucial role.
