Union Home Minister Amit Shah appeals to J&K voters to exercise franchise

New Delhi [India], September 18 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to cast their votes as the first phase of the J&K assembly elections began on Wednesday. He said that only a government with a strong will can create a terror-free J&K to protect the citizens' rights and speed up development work.
"Only a government with a strong will can create a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir, protect the rights of the citizens there and speed up development work. Today, my appeal to the voters going to vote in the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections is to vote in large numbers to form a government that is committed to the education of the youth here, employment, empowerment of women and ending separatism and nepotism in the region--first vote, then refreshment," said the Union Home Minister.
Congress President said that every vote holds the power to shape the future of the region.
"The people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager to safeguard their rights and embark on a new era of true development and full statehood. As the first phase of voting in 24 Assembly constituencies commences, we urge everyone to exercise their democratic right and vote in large numbers. Every single vote holds the power to shape the future and bring about an era of peace, stability, justice, progress, and economic empowerment. We appeal to all, especially first-time voters, to participate in this crucial election and be the catalysts for change. For the first time ever, a state was downgraded to a Union Territory, when you cast your vote, do remember who is responsible for this travesty Let us unite and shape a brighter future for Jammu and Kashmir, where voices of all citizens are heard," Kharge said on X.
The voting process that began at 7 am will conclude at 6 pm, per the Election Commission of India.
24 Assembly constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir are going to polls--16 Assembly seats in the Kashmir region and 8 seats in the Jammu region will go for polls in the first phase of elections.
Notably, 486 candidates had filed their nomination papers before the respective returning officers in 40 Assembly constituencies till the last date of filing the nominations on September 12. Out of these, the nomination papers of 449 candidates were found valid during the scrutiny held on September 13, and now, with the withdrawal of 34 candidates, 415 candidates remain in the final electoral fray for phase 3.
With this, a total of 873 candidates will be in the final fray in the Assembly Elections for 90 assembly constituencies, including 219 candidates for 24 assembly seats in the first phase, 239 candidates for 26 seats in the second phase, and 415 candidates for 40 seats in the final phase, the official added.
Polling for the second and third phases of the Assembly elections will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively.
Counting of the votes is scheduled to be held on October 8.
This marks the first Assembly elections in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The Congress and the National Conference are fighting the polls in alliance. The PDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and People's Conference, to name a few, are other parties in the fray for 90 Assembly seats.