Today marks a significant moment in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape as voters participate in the first phase of the Assembly Election 2024. This election is the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which revoked the region’s special status. Over 23 lakh voters are expected to decide the fate of 219 candidates vying for 24 assembly seats, including 90 independents.
High Security Arrangements
To ensure smooth polling, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has implemented extensive security measures. Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Armed Police have been deployed across polling stations in the region. Voting is taking place across eight constituencies in Jammu and 16 in Kashmir.
Major Highlights:
- Historic Election: This is the first assembly election since the historic move in August 2019, when Article 370 was revoked.
- Voter Demographics: Among the 23 lakh voters, around 1.23 lakh are youth aged 18-19, with 28,309 persons with disabilities and over 15,700 elderly citizens (aged 85 and above) participating.
- Key Candidates:
- In Kashmir, prominent candidates include Iltija Mufti from PDP, CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, and Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Congress.
- In the Jammu region, Sajjad Kitchloo (NC), Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress), Sunil Sharma (BJP), and independent candidate Ghulam Mohammad Saroori are among the key contenders.
- Allied Yet Separate: Despite an alliance, the National Conference (NC) and Congress have fielded separate candidates in Banihal, Bhaderwah, and Doda. In Inderwal, rebel NC leader Pyare Lal Sharma is running as an independent, while BJP rebels are contesting in Ramban and Padder-Nagseni.
- Polling Infrastructure: A total of 3,276 polling stations have been set up, with 302 in urban areas and 2,974 in rural regions. Four election officials, including a presiding officer, are stationed at each location.
- Kashmiri Pandit Participation: Over 35,000 Kashmiri Pandits, many of whom relocated to Jammu and Udhampur during the 1990s, will cast their votes. The ECI has simplified paperwork to ensure their participation.
- Vacuum of Elected Government: Jammu and Kashmir have been without an elected government since June 2018, after the BJP pulled out of its alliance with PDP, prompting Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s resignation.
- Reserved Constituencies: Of the 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, 74 are reserved for general candidates, 9 for Scheduled Tribes, and 7 for Scheduled Castes.
- Pulwama Contest: In Pulwama, Waheed Para, who has been accused in a terror-related case, is contesting against former party colleague Mohammad Khalil Bandh, now an NC candidate.
This election, being held in three phases, is crucial for determining the future political direction of Jammu and Kashmir. With the first phase concluding today, the region waits eagerly to see who will emerge as the new representatives.
Leave a Reply