J&K Assembly elections 2024: “We have started our preparations,” says Omar Abdullah

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 18 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Vice President Omar Abdullah said on Sunday that they have started the preparations for the Assembly elections that are scheduled to be held in September in three phases from September 18.

On the election preparations by the party following the announcement of the election schedule by the Election Commission on August 16, he said, “Two days have not yet passed after the announcement. Give us some time, we have begun our preparations. On August 20, the notification will be issued for the first phase. Following this, we will announce the names of our candidates and hope for a victory,” Omar told reporters here.

He also took a dig at the BJP after the party won 240 seats in the recently held Lok Sabha elections despite its slogan of ‘400 Paar’.

“It would be better if the BJP doesn’t talk about over-confidence. We only said that we were hoping to receive the support of the people and get a chance to form the government. We are not counting the number of seats. The BJP has always counted the number (seats) here,” Omar said.

In another development, Javid Mirchal, a former MLC from Karnal, joined the NC in the presence of Farooq Abdullah at their residence in Gupkar, Srinagar.

Omar said that Mirchal has a deep relationship with his voters.

“It is the good fortune of the National Conference that a leader like Javaid Mirchal who is connected to the public, has a deep relationship with his voters and people, is joining the National Conference today. It is a big thing that Javaid Mirchal came to the National Conference but did not put any conditions…,” Omar said.

The polling in the UT will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, as per the Election Commission of India. The counting of the votes will take place on October 4.

These are the first elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kashmir in March and announced development packages worth Rs crores to boost agriculture and tourism.

The election body has directed the enforcement agencies to be impartial and transparent for smooth and fair polling, ensuring a level playing field.

There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies, of which 74 are general, nine are ST, and seven are SC. There are 87.09 lakh total electors, including 44.46 lakh are male, 42.62 lakh are female, 169 are transgender, 82,590 PwDs, 73943 are very senior citizens, 2660 are centenarians, 76092 are service electors, and 3.71 lakh are first-time voters.

Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections after a gap of ten years, as the last assembly election was held in 2014. The PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 when the latter withdrew support to the then-Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti.

In December of last year, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to conclude the election process by September 30, 2024.