Ex-CM Omar Abdullah among 239 candidates competing
Today, citizens in 26 voting areas spread across six districts of Jammu and Kashmir will participate in the second phase of the Assembly elections with increased security measures in place. During this stage, ex-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is among the most well-known contenders, alongside 238 other candidates competing.
The People’s Democratic Party has fielded the largest number of candidates at 26, with the National Conference fielding 20, BJP with 17, and the Congress with six. There are a total of 170 candidates, including independent and other candidates.
The polling stations include Kangan, Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, Central Shalteng, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-i-Sharif, Chadoora, Gulabgarh, Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote-Sundarbani, Nowshera, Rajouri, Budhal, Thannamandi, Surankote, Poonch Haveli and Mendhar.
Other key candidates are Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari (Channapora), former ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar (Khanyar), Abdul Rahim Rather (Chrar-i-Sharief), and Choudhary Zulfikar Ali (Budhal) and Syed Mushtaq Bukhari (Surankote). Jailed cleric Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, popularly known as Barkati, is contesting from the Beerwah and Ganderbal.
Also read: Jammu and Kashmir Polls: Peaceful voting so far; 26.72 percent turnout till 11 am
PM Modi urges all voters to cast their votes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to “all voters to cast their votes and play their important role in strengthening democracy”. In a tweet, he said, “On this occasion, I congratulate all the young friends who are going to vote for the first time.”
Other notable candidates include BJP’s Ravinder Raina and Congress’s Tariq Hamid
In addition to Omar Abdullah, running in Budgam and Ganderbal, other notable candidates in today’s election are Ravinder Raina of BJP in Nowshera and Tariq Hamid Karra of Congress in Central-Shalteng.
A total of 3,502 polling stations have been established in all 26 districts, and 13,000 workers are in place to oversee the voting process and ensure peace.
The third phase of Assembly elections is set to occur on October 1, and the votes will be counted on October 8.
