Voting Started In J&K: What's Up!

Voting for Phase 1 of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections is scheduled for September 18 covering 24 constituencies—16 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu. This is the first assembly election since 2014 and the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

A total of 219 candidates are running in this phase. Notable candidates include:

Iltija Mufti (PDP), daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, competing in Bijbehara-Srigufwara.

Waheed Para (PDP), contesting from Pulwama, promoting his slogan ‘Jail Ka Badla Vote Say’.

Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami (CPM) aiming for his fifth consecutive term from Kulgam.

Khalid Najib Suharwady (NC) competing against Congress' Sheikh Riyaz in Doda.

Sanjay Saraf (LJSP) representing Kashmiri Pandits in Anantnag.

The Congress-NC alliance promises statehood restoration while the BJP focuses on OBC reservations and tourism development. Voting will continue in two more phases on September 25 and October 1 with counting on October 8.