The long-awaited Phase I polling has finally begun in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, with several districts participating in the Assembly elections. This marks a significant moment for the region as it is the first election to take place in almost ten years.
A total of 219 candidates, including 90 independents, are vying for seats in this phase, which has over 23 lakh registered voters.
Notably, there has been a surge in the number of eligible voters, with 1.23 lakh youths between 18 and 19 years, 28,309 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and 15,774 elderly voters above the age of 85. This demonstrates a strong participation from diverse demographics in shaping the future of their state.
With a dedicated team of 14,000 polling staff overseeing the election process at 3,276 polling stations, all eyes are on Jammu and Kashmir as it embarks on this crucial phase of its democratic process.