279 candidates file nominations for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Polls; 72 file in Anantnag

The buzz is building as 279 hopeful candidates have thrown their hats in the ring across 24 assembly segments in seven districts for the upcoming first phase of Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly elections on September 18. The stakes are high as 16 seats are up for grabs in the Valley, with the remaining 8 in the Jammu region.

Yesterday marked the deadline for nominations in the initial phase, encompassing areas in the south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, and Shopian, as well as assembly seats in the Chenab valley area of the Jammu region spanning Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts.

The race is tight, with Anantnag district leading the pack with 72 candidates, closely followed by 55 in Pulwama, 41 in Doda, 32 in Kishtwar, 28 each in Shopian and Kulgam, and 23 in Ramban district, as per the statement by the chief electoral officer’s office, reported by PTI.

Turning our attention to the Jammu division, the action is heating up with 13 candidates filing nominations in Inderwal, 11 in Kishtwar, and 8 in Padder-Nagseni for the three assembly seats in the Kishtwar district.

Circling back to the big day, the first phase is slated for September 18, with subsequent rounds on September 25 and October 1. The results will be unveiled on October 4.

It’s a showdown between key players, with the National Conference forming an alliance with the Congress party, while the People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party are making their presence felt.

The battleground is set as Jammu and Kashmir gears up for its first assembly polls in nearly a decade following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, bringing an era of unprecedented central rule since 2018 to an end.

Heading back to the action, Doda district sees 16 contenders in Bhadarwah, 16 in Doda, and 9 in Doda West vying for the three seats up for grabs.

Shifting focus to Ramban district, 13 candidates are in the running for the Ramban seat and 10 for Banihal, setting the stage for intense competition.

The drama continues in Pulwama, with 16 nominations from Pampore, 13 from Tral, 14 from Pulwama, and 12 from Rajpora, making it a hotly contested battleground.

Supporters have rallied behind contenders in Zainapora and Shopian, with 15 and 13 nominations filed respectively in Shopian district.

The battle intensifies in Kulgam, with 6 hopefuls in DH Pora, and 11 each in Kulgam and Devsar, vying for victory.

Stepping into Anantnag district, 12 candidates have their sights set on Dooru, 11 in Kokernag (ST), 14 in Anantnag West, 13 in Anantnag, 3 in Srigufwara-Bijbehara, 13 in Shangus-Anantnag East, and 6 in Pahalgam, all eyeing the top spot.

Over 23.27 lakh voters, inclusive of 11.76 lakh male, 11.51 lakh female voters, and 60 third-gender electors, hold the power to shape the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir elections.

Excitement brews as nomination papers face scrutiny by the respective returning officers on August 28, with candidates having until August 30 to make final decisions as the race intensifies.