Jammu:The polling for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections will take place on September 18 across 24 Assembly constituencies with 23.37 lakh voters set to seal the fate of 219 candidates.
“On September 18, 2024, the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections will see 23.27 lakh voters casting their ballots across 24 constituencies. The election will feature 219 candidates vying for seats, with voting taking place at 3276 polling stations across seven districts: Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar,” an official statement said.
It said a total of 3276 polling stations will be set up in seven districts: Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar.
In this phase, 23,27,580 electors are eligible to vote, including 11,76,462 males, 11,51,058 females, and 60 third-gender voters. Election authorities have deployed over 14,000 staff members across 302 urban and 2974 rural polling stations. Voting will occur from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, with extended hours if voters are still in line.
"There will be provision for drinking water, electricity, and ramps. Special preparation includes 24 Pink Polling Stations altogether run by women, stations exclusively for disabled persons, and green stations that are entirely dedicated to environmental awareness. There will be voter help desks in case of any confusion", the statement added.
The voters can use any one of 12 acceptable documents, including an Aadhaar card and a passport, as proof of identity. The EPIC is not compulsory to vote. Voter Information Slips have been issued to help in identification and location of polling stations.
"The Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program aims at refining voter awareness through a wide range of media and community activities to further voter turnout expectations", the statement reads further.
Over 1600 media personnel will cover the elections, with monitoring and control rooms set up to oversee the process and ensure compliance with election norms. All polling stations will be equipped with CCTV for live webcasting.
"Twenty-four special polling stations have been established for migrant voters, with 19 in Jammu, four in Delhi, and one in Udhampur", the statement added.
In the meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Officer of J&K has urged all eligible voters to participate actively, emphasizing the commitment to providing a smooth and inclusive voting experience.