Voting kicked off this Wednesday in the much-anticipated second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Over 2.5 million registered voters across the region are set to decide the outcome for 239 candidates vying for 26 seats. These constituencies are spread over six districts, with three located in the Valley and three in the Jammu Division.
Key Districts and Constituencies
In Srinagar district, 93 candidates are contesting, making it the largest field in this phase. Key constituencies here include Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Chanapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng, and Eidgah. Budgam district has five constituencies—Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-I-Sharief, and Chandoora—where 46 candidates are in the running. Ganderbal, a much smaller district, has only two constituencies—Kangan and Ganderbal—with 21 candidates contesting.
Moving to the Jammu Division, districts like Rajouri and Poonch are in focus. Rajouri will see 34 candidates battle it out, while Poonch has 25 contestants. The other key constituencies in this division include Gulabgarh, Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Budhal, Thannamandi, Surankote, Poonch Haveli, and Mendhar.
Candidates to Watch in J&K Assembly Polls 2024
Several prominent political figures are among the candidates for this phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is a candidate to keep an eye on as he is contesting from two seats—Ganderbal and Budgam. Abdullah, who represents the National Conference (NC), remains a key player in the political landscape of the region.
The president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Tariq Hamid Karra, is contesting from the Central Shalteng seat in Srinagar. Another heavyweight, Ravinder Raina, the current BJP J-K Chief, will defend his seat in Nowshera, Rajouri district. Raina won this seat in the 2014 Assembly elections and is a crucial figure for the BJP in the region.
One of the more unusual candidates in this election is Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, also known as Barkati, a jailed separatist leader. He is competing in both the Beerwah and Ganderbal constituencies. Barkati’s candidacy is reminiscent of Engineer Rashid’s Lok Sabha victory over National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, and his participation adds an interesting dynamic to the election.
Other key candidates include Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari, former ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar, Abdul Rahim Rather, Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, and Syed Mushtaq Bukhari. All of these figures are seasoned politicians, and their presence in the elections will undoubtedly shape the political outcomes of their respective constituencies.
Previous Phase and What Lies Ahead
The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, held on September 18, saw an impressive voter turnout of 61.38%. The second phase, currently underway, is expected to maintain this momentum as voters across the six districts make their voices heard.
The third and final phase of voting is scheduled for October 1, with counting set to take place on October 8. As the election progresses, the political future of Jammu and Kashmir is at stake, with both national and regional parties fighting hard to secure key constituencies.
The second phase of the J&K Assembly polls has brought out a host of prominent candidates and crucial constituencies that could shape the political direction of the region. With former Chief Ministers, regional party leaders, and even jailed separatist figures in the mix, the election offers a wide variety of narratives. As the election process moves towards its final phase, all eyes will be on how the results unfold and what they mean for the political future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Stay tuned for updates on the J&K Assembly Polls 2024, and be sure to follow the final phase on October 1. Don’t miss the live vote count on October 8.
