Jammu And Kashmir Elections: Over 25 Lakh Voters To Decide Fate Of 239 Candidates

The second phase of campaigning for 26 Assembly seats across six districts in Jammu and Kashmir wrapped up on Monday, with a variety of pledges and political promises. Polling is set to take place on Wednesday, September 25.

Over 25.78 lakh voters are expected to cast their ballots, determining the fate of 239 candidates across three districts in the Kashmir Valley-Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam-and three districts in the Jammu region-Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch. Among the voters, there are 13.12 lakh males, 12.65 lakh females, and 53 third-gender voters, as reported by officials.

In Srinagar district, which comprises eight Assembly segments, 93 candidates are in contention, while Budgam has 46 candidates vying for five seats. The Rajouri district sees 34 candidates competing for five seats, Poonch has 25 candidates contesting for three seats, Ganderbal features 21 candidates for two seats, and Reasi has 20 candidates running for three seats.

The National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are primarily focused on securing as many seats as possible in Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is strategizing to increase its representation in the Pir Panjal valley regions of Rajouri and Poonch, aiming to overcome Congress and NC candidates.

In preparation for the elections, security has been intensified throughout Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Srinagar and the Pir Panjal valley. New checkpoints have been established in Srinagar, with vehicles and pedestrians undergoing thorough checks to monitor potential militant movements.

Omar Abdullah, vice-president of the National Conference, conducted a series of rallies in Budgam. He is contesting for seats in central Kashmir's Ganderbal and Budgam, both of which will be voting in the second phase on September 25. Abdullah concluded his speeches by pledging to release jailed youth, stating, "There is hardly any house where a youth does not face a case in police stations. No week goes by without the police summoning them. Many youths have been transferred to jails outside the region. We will review all FIRs lodged in the past five years and withdraw cases. Those detained outside under the Public Safety Act will be brought back to Kashmir, and the release process will be initiated. We will revoke the PSA."

In Ganderbal, Abdullah's significant rivals, Engineer Rashid of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), also held rallies on Monday. Azad criticized regional parties, claiming, "They are misleading people with false promises. I thought the issues would change this election, but unfortunately, they haven't. The same slogans used in past elections persist: roads, schools, and education are not issues, but the cry of Islam in danger is."

In Jammu, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the manifestos of regional parties, emphasizing the central government's initiatives. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked tirelessly to create a new culture where society lives in harmony, and the benefits of the government reach every needy person, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or voting preference. The NC manifesto, supported by Congress, claims they will restore Article 35A, which would deprive our daughters of their property rights. The message from these hills should be clear: we are part of Modi's India, and our identity is that of proud Indians," he stated.