Final phase of J&K Assembly polls begins today: 40 constituencies to vote amid tight security

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 1 (ANI): The polling for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election will begin at 7 am today (Tuesday), with 40 constituencies going to the polls.

Among the 40 constituencies, 24 are in the Jammu division and the rest in the Kashmir Valley.

According to the Election Commission, more than 3.9 million voters in seven districts are eligible to vote in this phase.

Voting will take place between 7 AM and 6 PM, with security measures in place to ensure a smooth and peaceful process.

At least 415 candidates, including former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand (Congress) and Muzaffar Hussain Beig, are contesting in the third phase.

Mock polling has started in various polling booths.

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Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Bahu assembly constituency, Vikram Randhawa, has offered prayers at the Bawe Wali Mata Mahakali Mandir ahead of the elections today. Congress’ Taranjit Singh Tony and PDP’s Varinder Singh are his main opponents.

“I prayed that Mata Rani strengthens the nationalist powers. These elections will take Jammu and Kashmir in a new direction. J&K has decided to take the best decision this time,” Randhawa told ANI.

The intensive campaign for the third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded on Sunday evening.

This election is notable as the first in a decade and the first since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. The three-phase election involves a multi-party contest for the 90 seats across the former state.

The National Conference (NC) and the Congress have formed an alliance for these elections, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are among the other major contenders.

The first phase of voting took place on September 18, and the second phase concluded on September 25.

According to the Election Commission of India, the first and second phases of polling recorded voter turnouts of 61% and 57.31%, respectively.

The campaigning saw major political parties, especially the BJP, Congress, NC, and PDP, engaging in heated debates over key issues including Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism, and reservation.

High-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (BJP), Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and former J-K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, were on the ground for weeks.

The counting of the votes will be done on October 8.