J&K Elections: PM Modi Urges People To Vote In Large Numbers

As the voting began for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy.

This is the first assembly election in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. 24 constituencies spread over seven districts of the Union Territory went to polls in the first amid tight security arrangements.

Also, it is also the first assembly poll to be conducted in the last 10 years.

"As the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, I urge all those in constituencies going to the polls today to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy," the PM said in a post on X. "I particularly call upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise," he said.

More than 23 lakh voters will determine the outcome for 219 candidates, including 90 Independents, contesting 24 assembly seats - eight in three districts of the Jammu region and 16 in four districts of the Kashmir Valley. The remaining two phases will be held on September 25 and October 1, with the vote counting scheduled for October 8.

On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and split the former state into two Union Territories: J&K and Ladakh.

In the first phase of the three-phase elections, seven districts across Jammu and Kashmir, located on either side of the Pir Panjal mountain range, are voting to elect their representatives.