DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
jammu, Sept 30
With the stage set for the third and final phase of General Elections to the Legislative Assembly, scheduled for October 1, the fate of 415 candidates will be determined by over 39.18 lakh voters.
The third phase of the Legislative Assembly Elections 2024 will cover 40 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) across seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir. These include Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora in the Kashmir Division and Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, and Samba in the Jammu Division.
While Baramulla Assembly Segment of North Kashmir leads with the highest 25 candidates in the poll fray, the Akhnoor assembly constituency of Jammu district will witness a contest among three candidates only during this phase.
In Kashmir Division, 16 Assembly Constituencies comprising Karnah, Trehgam, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, Langate, Sopore, Rafiabad, Uri, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Wagoora-Kreeri, Pattan, Sonawari, Bandipora and Gurez (ST) and in Jammu Division 24 Assembly Constituencies comprising Udhampur West, Udhampur East, Chenani, Ramnagar (SC), Bani, Billawar, Basohli, Jasrota, Kathua (SC), Hiranagar, Ramgarh (SC), Samba, Vijaypur, Bishnah (SC), Suchetgarh (SC), R.S.Pura–Jammu South, Bahu, Jammu East, Nagrota, Jammu West, Jammu North, Marh (SC), Akhnoor (SC) and Chhamb will go to the polls in this phase.
According to the latest electoral rolls, 39,18,220 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this phase, comprising 20,09,033 male voters, 19,09,130 female voters, and 57 third-gender voters.
Underlining the significance of the role to be played by the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in strengthening the democracy, as many as 1.94 lakh youth voters aged 18 to 19 are eligible to vote in the 3rd phase of Assembly Election.
This phase will also see participation from 35,860 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and 32,953 voters above the age of 85.
To facilitate the voters for smooth and hassle-free electoral participation, Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 5,060 polling stations with 100 percent webcasting across 40 Assembly Constituencies.
Also, there will be 45 green polling stations in order to spread messages about environmental concerns, 29 polling stations will be established near the LOC/ IB for residents residing there, and 33 Unique Polling stations.
A total of 24 special Polling Stations have been established for Migrant Voters of Kashmir Division, which includes 19 Special Polling Stations in Jammu, 4 in Delhi, and one in Udhampur District.
The Jammu district, with eleven Assembly Segments, has 12,009,77 electors, including 6,19,066 male, 5,81,887 female, and 24 transgender voters.
“To facilitate the voting process, the ECI has established 1494 polling stations across the District,” said an official from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.
The voting will take place from 7 AM to 6 PM.
