phase-ii-in-j-k-160-candidates-vie-for-votes-on-sep-25

As campaigning for phase II of the assembly elections draws to a close, approximately 1.5 million voters are set to determine the fate of 160 candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls in central Kashmir on September 25.

 

Prominent candidates in this phase include National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah, who is contesting from the twin assembly segments of Ganderbal and Budgam. Other notable candidates include NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, veteran politician and former assembly speaker Mubarak Gul, and former finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather. 

 

From the People's Democratic Party (PDP), former ministers Asea Naqash and Ghulam Nabi Hanjura are also in the race, alongside Apni Party Chief Altaf Bukhari, former minister Hakeem Yasin, and jailed separatist leader Sarjan Barkati, who is contesting in the Ganderbal and Beerwah constituencies.

 

This phase of the assembly polls will cover 15 constituencies across the Srinagar, Budgam, and Ganderbal districts of central Kashmir. The seats up for election include Ganderbal-18, Hazratbal-19, Budgam-27, Chadoora-31, Kangan-17 (ST), Beerwah-28, Khanyar-20, Habbakadal-21, Lal Chowk-22, Channapora-23, Zadibal-24, Eidgah-25, Central Shalteng-26, Khansahib-29, Chrar-I-Sharief-30, and Chadoora-31.

 

According to the latest electoral rolls, a total of 1,496,556 voters will cast their ballots in this phase, comprising 751,572 men, 744,941 women, and 43 third-gender voters. There are 1,838 polling booths set up across central Kashmir.

 

In Srinagar district, there are 93 candidates contesting, followed by 46 in Budgam and 21 in Ganderbal. Srinagar has 776,674 registered voters, including 387,722 men, 388,922 women, and 30 transgender voters, with 932 polling stations established across its eight assembly constituencies. 

 

Budgam district has 511,864 voters distributed among five assembly constituencies, consisting of 259,688 male voters, 252,163 female voters, and 13 transgender voters, with 639 polling stations in place. Ganderbal district has 208,018 registered electors, including 104,162 men and 103,856 women, with a total of 267 polling stations.

 

Voting will take place from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.