ECI issues notification for 2nd phase of polling in J-K

The Election Commission on Thursday issued a notification for the filing of nomination papers by candidates for the second phase of elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to start in the third week of September.

The last date for filing nominations is September 5, with scrutiny scheduled for September 6.. The final date for the withdrawal of candidatures is September 9. Voters will cast their ballots from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., with counting to take place on October 4, the notification said.

The seats going to the polls in the second phase include Kangan (ST), Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, Central Shalteng, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-I-Sharief, Chadoora, Gulabgarh (ST), Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri (ST), Budhal (ST), Thannamandi (ST), Surankote (ST), Poonch Haveli, and Mendhar (ST).

In the 2014 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference secured 15, and the Congress took 12. The PDP and BJP formed a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. However, in 2018, the BJP withdrew its support from the alliance after Mehbooba Mufti took over following Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s demise.

Jammu and Kashmir is expected to witness multi-cornered contests in most seats. This is the first assembly poll since the abrogation of Article 370. In the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, the BJP won both seats in Jammu, once again demonstrating its strong support in the region. The National Conference also secured two seats. The votes will be counted on October 4.