Voters in Jammu and Kashmir lined up at polling stations on Tuesday for the final phase of the union territory’s Assembly elections, deciding the fate of 415 candidates across 40 assembly constituencies. By 9 a.m., the voter turnout stood at 11.06%, according to the Chief Electoral Officer. The polling began at 7 a.m. and is set to conclude at 6 p.m., with heavy security arrangements in place to ensure a peaceful process.
The constituencies in this phase include 24 seats in the Jammu division and 16 in the Kashmir division. Among the notable candidates contesting are former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand and Muzaffar Beig, alongside other key political figures.
The election, spread over three phases, began on September 18, with the second phase held on September 25. Voter turnout in the first two phases was robust, with 61% in the first phase and 57.31% in the second, according to the Election Commission of India.
The focus in the Jammu division, which includes the districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur, is significant, particularly for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party aims to sweep the region as it did during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where it led in 22 out of the 24 assembly segments. BJP candidates, including Devender Singh Rana from Nagrota, are focusing on development and infrastructure as key campaign issues.
However, the Congress is determined to regain influence in Jammu, where it has been highlighting local issues like the installation of smart electricity meters, property tax imposition, and alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. Raman Bhalla, the Congress candidate from RS Pura-Jammu South, has centered his campaign on governance reforms and local administration, while Tara Chand, a veteran Congress leader and former deputy chief minister, is seen as a crucial figure in the race for the Chhamb constituency.
Meanwhile, in the Kashmir division, the focus shifts to the districts of Bandipora, Kupwara, and Baramulla, where prominent figures like Sajad Lone and Engineer Rashid are contesting. Lone, leader of the People’s Conference, is running in Kupwara and Handwara, while Rashid is defending his seat in Langate. The BJP’s campaign in the region has focused on the abrogation of Article 370 and its efforts to crack down on separatist activities.
As the election progresses, all eyes are on how voters will respond to the varied political themes in both divisions, especially amid the backdrop of the ongoing political tensions in the region.
