New Delhi: The third and final phase of the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, as voters prepare to cast their ballots in 40 assembly constituencies. Campaigning for this phase concluded on Sunday evening, with security forces deployed throughout the union territory to ensure law and order during the voting process.
Out of the 40 constituencies, 24 are located in the Jammu division, while the remaining constituencies are in Kashmir. This crucial final phase is expected to see over 3.9 million voters participating on Tuesday. The National Conference and Congress are contesting the elections in a coalition, while the People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are also significant contenders.
Tight security in place
Security measures are stringent across all constituencies, with Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF) and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) stationed in areas that have previously experienced terrorism, such as Udhampur, Baramulla, Kathua, and Kupwara. Anand Jain, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for the Jammu zone, stated that comprehensive security arrangements have been established in polling areas to ensure “terror-free and peaceful” elections.
Stage set for polling
In the final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, over 3.9 million voters will participate across 40 constituencies—24 in Jammu and 16 in Kashmir. Voting will take place from 7 am to 7 pm, with 5,060 polling stations set up by the Election Commission of India. The Jammu district has the most representation, with 11 segments, followed by Kathua (6), Udhampur (4) and Samba (3). In the Kashmir division, constituencies include Karnah and Handwara in Kupwara, Sopore and Uri in Baramulla, and Sonawari and Bandipora in Bandipora.
Key candidates and communities
In Phase 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir polls, famous candidates include People’s Conference chairman Sajjad Lone, contesting from two seats in Kupwara, and National Panthers Party president Dev Singh, running from the Chenani seat in Udhampur.
Other prominent candidates are former ministers Raman Bhalla (R S Pura), Usman Majid (Bandipora), Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurez), Taj Mohiuddin (Uri), Basharat Bukhari (Wagoora-Kreeri), Imran Ansari (Pattan), Ghulam Hassan Mir (Gulmarg), and Choudhary Lal Singh (Basohli). The participation of Pakistani refugees, Valmiki Samaj, and the Gorkha community—who gained voting rights after the abrogation of Article 370—could significantly influence the election outcome. Exit polls will be conducted on October 5, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.
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