J&K Assembly elections: Security forces deployed across Udhampur ahead of phase-3 polling

Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 30 (ANI): Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF) and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been deployed across the Udhampur district that is going to polls in the third and final phase of polling, covering 40 Assembly constituencies in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Udhampur SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure said that measures have been put in place across the district to ensure a peaceful and smooth election.

“As the polling is going to be held on October 1 in Udhampur, the polling parties are being dispatched today…Udhampur police is focused on ensuring a peaceful and smooth election process. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel are deployed across the district. The district has 654 polling booths. Special night QRTs and night domination measures have been put in place to maintain a secure environment throughout the night.

SSP Nagpure said that there has been a special deployment of security personnel in the areas of Basantgarh, Latti, and Dudu in the Udhampur district.

“Basantgarh, Latti, and Dudu (areas of Udhampur district) are focus points for us. There has been a special deployment of security personnel in these areas. I appeal to the voters to participate in the election process,” SSP Nagpure added.

The high-stakes campaigning for the third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded on Sunday evening, with voting set to take place for 40 constituencies in the third phase. Of the 40 constituencies, 24 fall under the Jammu division and the remaining in Kashmir.

This election marks the first one in a decade and the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The three-phase election is witnessing a multi-cornered fight for the 90 seats across the erstwhile state.

While the National Conference and the Congress are fighting the elections in an alliance, the People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the two other major players.

The third and final phase of polling is scheduled for October 1, while the counting of votes will take place on October 8.

Voter turnouts of 61 per cent and 57.31 per cent was recorded in the first and second phases of polling respectively in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission of India said on Friday.