Poll Duty Vehicle Crash In Poonch: 2 Staff Killed, 1 Injured On Route To J&K Assembly Election 2024

In a concerning incident in Mangnar village of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, a vehicle designated for poll duty met with an accident, leading to injuries among the staff members onboard.

The accident occurred while the vehicle was en route to its designated polling location.

Photo Credit: X/ANI

Poll Duty Vehicle Crash In Poonch

Eyewitness accounts from one of the injured polling staff revealed, "We were on our way to fulfil our election duties when the vehicle encountered an accident. There were 15 of us in the vehicle, and four members sustained injuries and were subsequently transported to the district hospital for medical treatment."

Visuals from the district hospital show the injured receiving care following the mishap. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident as they ensure the well-being of the injured personnel.

J&K Assembly Elections Phase Two

With several high-profile candidates in the mix, the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections is set to be pivotal for major political parties in the Union Territory. Among the 239 candidates vying for seats across 26 constituencies are notable figures such as former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Ravinder Raina, and Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari.

The assembly segments for this phase encompass the central Kashmir districts of Budgam, Srinagar, and Ganderbal, along with the Poonch and Rajouri districts in the Jammu region. The Election Commission has reported that over 2.5 million eligible voters will cast their ballots in this phase, which is scheduled for September 25. Following a successful first phase with a voter turnout of 61.38 percent, anticipation is high as preparations are underway for the next round of polling.

Key Candidates to Watch

Tariq Hameed Karra

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief is contesting from the Central Shalteng seat in Srinagar. He faces competition from prominent candidates, including the PDP's Abdul Qayum Bhat and Awami National Conference's Riyaz Ahmad Mir.

Sarjan Ahmad Wagay

A jailed cleric known as Sarjan Barkati, Wagay has filed nomination papers for the Ganderbal and Beerwah constituencies. His previous nomination from Zainpora was rejected due to an administrative issue regarding a required certificate. Barkati gained prominence during the 2016 protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani and has faced charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Omar Abdullah

The National Conference vice president is contesting from two constituencies, Budgam and Ganderbal. Ganderbal is considered a stronghold for the Abdullah family, having been represented by three generations. In Budgam, he faces seven other candidates, including PDP's Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.

Ravinder Raina

The BJP's J&K unit president, Raina, is seeking re-election from the Nowshera seat in Rajouri district. This time, he faces a tough challenge from former party colleague Surinder Choudhary, who is now with the National Conference and has the backing of the Congress.

Altaf Bukhari

As the wealthiest candidate in this phase with assets exceeding ₹165 crore, Bukhari is contesting from the Channapora seat in Srinagar. He will compete against PDP's Mohammed Iqbal Trumboo, National Conference's Mushtaq Guroo, and BJP's Hilal Ahmad Wani.

As the second phase approaches, all eyes are on these candidates and their potential impact on the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.