J&K ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: More than 23.27 lakh voters including 5.66 lakh youths are eligible to exercise their electoral franchise during the Phase-I of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election which is scheduled to be held on 18 September 2024 across the 24 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in 7 districts of Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K, Pandurang K Pole said on Thursday.
“As per the latest data of electoral rolls available, there is a total of 23,27,543 lakh voters, who are eligible to vote during the Phase 1 of the J&K Assembly. Out of them, there are 11,76,441 male voters and 11,51,042 female voters along with 60 Third Gender Electors,” the CEO said in a statement.
Underlining the significance of the role to be played by the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in strengthening the democracy, the CEO said that as many as 5.66 lakh youths are eligible to votes in phase-1 of the Assembly Election.

Stay vigilant to counter fake narratives: EC to J&K, Haryana poll observers

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Thursday advised its over 400 observers being deployed for assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana to stay vigilant to false narratives trying to derail the election process and to ensure a quick counter.
Reminding the observers of their crucial role, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar emphasised that they, as representatives of the Commission, are expected to conduct themselves professionally and be accessible to all stakeholders including candidates and public at large. He also advised them to overcome language barriers and ensure that there are no gaps in communication.
He reminded the observes that they would be under the watchful gaze of parties, candidates, voters and EC alike.
Around 200 general observers, 100 police observers and as many expenditure observers are being deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana.
CEC Kumar advised the officials to be vigilant towards false narratives trying to derail the election process.
Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasised that the officials should observe the complete election ecosystem for free and fair polls.
Noting that the assembly elections are keenly contested, he said the role of observers becomes all the more critical in these polls.
Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu noted that accessibility, visibility and responsiveness are essential to develop a virtuous spiral enhancing the conduct of the elections.
According to the poll authority, observers were strictly directed to remain accessible to all parties, candidates and voters for timely redressal of their grievances.
Any complaints in this regard will be viewed seriously by the Commission.
As the eyes and ears of the Commission on the ground, the observers were asked to exercise constant vigilance with utmost sincerity.
The EC deploys observers under Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and plenary powers of the Constitution.
IAS, IPS, IRS and those from other central services are deployed as observers.

These 5.66 lakh young electors are between the age 18-29 and include 1,23,922 First Time Voters between the age of 18-19 years, with 65542 of them male and 58380 female electors.
In the Phase- I, 28,310 Person with Disabilities (PwDs) and 15,774 voters above the age of 85 are eligible to cast their vote.
In the first phase, 24 Assembly Constituencies both in Jammu and Kashmir divisions are going to election on 18 September, 2024.
The notification has been issued for Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam districts in Kashmir Division; and Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts in Jammu Division.
In Kashmir Division, 16 Assembly Constituencies comprising Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara- Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, Pahalgam; whereas in Jammu Division, 8 Assembly Constituencies including, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban and Banihal are scheduled to go for polls in the Phase-I of the Assembly Election.
The Notification for the Phase-I was released on 20 August, 2024 and last date for filing the nominations for Phase-I is 27 August, 2024.