Srinagar, Sep 23 (UNI) An estimated over 25.78 lakh voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates in the second phase of the Legislative Assembly elections on 26 seats on September 25 in Jammu and Kashmir.
The second phase of the Legislative Assembly Elections 2024 will cover 26 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) across six districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam in Kashmir Division, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu Division.
The voting will take place from 7.00 AM to 6.00 PM on September 25.
In Kashmir Division 15 ACs will go to polls including Kangan (ST); Ganderbal; Hazratbal; Khanyar; Habbakadal; Lal Chowk; -Channapora; Zadibal; Eidgah; Central Shalteng; Budgam; Beerwah; Khansahib; Chrar-I-Sharief and Chadoora,
Similar in Jammu Division 11 Assembly Constituencies including -Gulabgarh (ST); Reasi; Shri Mata Vaishno Devi; Kalakote- Sunderbani; Nowshera; Rajouri (ST); Budhal (ST); Thannamandi (ST); Surankote (ST); Poonch Haveli and 90-Mehdhar (ST) will go for polls in this phase.
According to the latest electoral rolls, 25,78,099 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballot in this phase, comprising 13,12,730 lakh male voters, 12,65,316 lakh female voters, and 53 third-gender voters.
As many as 1,20,612 lakh voters aged 18 to 19 are eligible to vote in phase II of the Assembly Elections. Among these, 11,294 are male and 10,065 are female first-time voters.
This phase will also see participation from 19,201 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) voters and 20,880 voters above the age of 85.
During this phase, 93 candidates are in the fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam district, 34 in Rajouri district, 25 in Poonch district, 21 in Ganderbal district, and 20 candidates are contesting in Reasi district.
In the Reasi district, 6 candidates are in the fray in Gulabgarh (ST) AC; 7 candidates in Reasi AC; while 7 candidates are contesting in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi AC.
In Rajouri district, 11 are in the fray Kalakote -Sunderbani AC; 5 candidates in Nowshera AC; 8 candidates in Rajouri (ST) AC; 4 candidates in Budhal (ST) AC, while 6 candidates are contesting in Thannamandi (ST) AC.
In Poonch district, 8 candidates are in the fray in Surankote (ST) AC; 8 candidates in Poonch Haveli AC; while 9 candidates are contesting in Mendhar (ST) AC.
Similarly, in the Ganderbal district, 6 candidates are contesting in Kangan (ST) AC and 15 candidates are contesting in Ganderbal AC.
In Srinagar district, 13 candidates are in the fray in Hazratbal AC; 10 candidates in Khanyar AC; 16 candidates in Habbakadal AC; 10 candidates in Lal Chowk AC; 8 candidates in Channapora AC; candidates in Zadibal AC; 13 candidates in Eidgah AC; while 13 candidates are contesting in 26-Central Shalteng AC.
In Budgam district 8 candidates are in the fray in Budgam AC; 12 candidates in Beerwah AC; 10 candidates in Khansahib AC; 10 candidates in Charar-I-Sharief AC; while 6 candidates are contesting in Chadoora AC.
The Srinagar district has a total of 7,76,674 registered voters, including 3,87,722 males, 3,88,922 females, and 30 transgender voters across eight Assembly constituencies. A total of 932 polling stations are spread across these constituencies, ensuring that every registered voter has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
The Rajouri has 4,92,008 electorates which includes 2,56,215 males, 2,35,786 females, and 7 transgender voters. A comprehensive network of 745 polling stations has been established across the district.
The Budgam District has a total of 5,11,864 voters across its five Assembly constituencies; 2,59,688 male voters, 2,52,163 female voters, and 13 transgender voters. A total of 639 polling stations are spread across the two Assembly constituencies, ensuring that every registered voter has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
Poonch District is divided into three Assembly constituencies, with a total of 3,52,330 registered voters; 1,80,584 males and 1,71,746 females. To facilitate the voting process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 483 polling stations across both constituencies.
The Reasi district has registered a total of 2,37,205 voters, including 1,24,359 males, 1,12,843 females, and 3 transgender across its three Assembly constituencies. ECI has established 436 polling stations throughout the district
The Ganderbal district has 2,08,018 registered voters, including 1,04,162 male and 1,03,856 female voters. A comprehensive network of 267 polling stations has been established by the ECI for free, fair, and transparent elections.
To facilitate the voters for smooth and hassle-free electoral participation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 3502 polling stations with 100 percent webcasting across 26 Assembly Constituencies. These include 1056 Urban Polling stations and 2446 Rural Polling stations.
To enhance voter participation, 157 Special polling stations have been established in the second phase including 26 polling booths managed by women as Pink Polling Stations, 26 polling stations manned by specially-abled persons, 26 polling stations manned by youths, 31 Border polling stations, 26 green polling stations and 22 Unique Polling stations.