In the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, voting will be held today on 24 assembly seats in 7 districts. It will include 23.27 lakh voters.
More than 35 thousand displaced Kashmiri Pandits living in various states will also be able to vote. 24 special booths have been set up for them in Delhi. Out of 24 seats in the first phase, 8 seats are in Jammu division and 16 seats are in Kashmir Valley. Maximum 7 seats are in Anantnag and minimum 2 seats are in Shopian and Ramban districts. According to the Election Commission, 219 candidates are in the fray in the first phase. It includes 9 women and 92 independent candidates. 110 candidates are millionaires while 36 have criminal cases registered against them.
Bijbehra seat, which was the stronghold of the Mufti family, is also in this phase. Iltija, daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, is contesting the election here for the first time. Mehbooba and her father Mufti Mohammad Saeed have been CMs. Voting on 90 assembly seats of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1. The result will be declared on October 8. In fact, assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir after 10 years. In the 2014 elections, PDP got maximum 28 seats and BJP got 25 seats. Both the parties formed the government together.
Highest turnout in 7 seats of Anantnag
In the first phase, polling will be held on 7 seats of Anantnag, 4 of Pulwama, 3 each of Kulgam, Kishtwar and Dodani, 2 each of Shopian and Ramban. Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts fall in Jammu division while Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian fall in Kashmir division. Pulwama's Pampore seat has maximum 14 candidates. Whereas, the Bijbehra seat of Anantnag is contested between only 3 candidates.
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Shah's appeal- vote against separatism, unemployment
Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to form a government that would provide education, employment, women empowerment and end separatism. Only a strong willed government can make Jammu and Kashmir free from terrorism.
20 minutes ago
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Voters said- voted to end unemployment and inflation
21 minutes ago
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A large number of voters gathered at the polling station in Pulwama.
22 minutes ago
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PM Modi's appeal – Strengthen the festival of democracy
23 minutes ago
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Criminal cases registered against 36 candidates, 5 red alert seats
According to the ADR report, criminal cases have been registered against 16% i.e. 36 candidates out of 219. 11% i.e. 25 candidates have serious cases like murder, kidnapping registered against them. There are cases of attempted murder against 4 candidates. Crimes against women have been registered against 2. A case of rape has also been registered against one of these candidates.
There are 5 red alert seats out of 24 in the first phase. A red alert seat is one where 3 or more candidates have criminal cases registered against them. 5 seats include Kokarnag (ST), Doda, Pulwama, Duru, Bhadarwah.
23 minutes ago
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Most of PDP's 18 candidates are millionaires
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has prepared a report based on the affidavits of 219 candidates of the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. According to the ADR report, the average wealth of the 219 candidates in Phase-I is Rs 3 crore.
Out of 219 50% i.e. 110 candidates are millionaires. He has assets of one crore or more. 18 of the 21 candidates of Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are millionaires.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
