SRINAGAR: The stage is set for the third and final phase of the General Elections to the Legislative Assembly, scheduled for October 1, where over 39.18 lakh voters will determine the fate of 415 candidates.
This phase covers 40 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) across seven districts in Jammu and Kashmir. These include Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipora in Kashmir Division, and Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, and Samba in Jammu Division.
Baramulla Assembly Segment in North Kashmir has the highest number of candidates, with 25 in the fray. In contrast, the Akhnoor assembly constituency in Jammu district will see a tight contest between just three candidates.
In Kashmir Division, 16 constituencies, including Karnah, Trehgam, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, Langate, Sopore, Rafiabad, Uri, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Wagoora-Kreeri, Pattan, Sonawari, Bandipora, and Gurez (ST), will go to the polls. In Jammu Division, 24 constituencies will be contested, including Udhampur West, Udhampur East, Chenani, Ramnagar (SC), Bani, Billawar, Basohli, Jasrota, Kathua (SC), Hiranagar, Ramgarh (SC), Samba, Vijaypur, Bishnah (SC), Suchetgarh (SC), R.S. Pura-Jammu South, Bahu, Jammu East, Nagrota, Jammu West, Jammu North, Marh (SC), Akhnoor (SC), and Chhamb.
According to the latest electoral rolls, 39,18,220 voters are eligible to participate, including 20,09,033 males, 19,09,130 females, and 57 third-gender voters.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 5,060 polling stations, all equipped with webcasting to ensure a fair and transparent voting process. These include 974 urban and 4,086 rural polling stations.
In addition, 240 special polling stations have been set up across seven districts in this phase. These include 50 women-managed ‘Pink Polling Stations’, 43 polling stations manned by specially-abled persons, and 40 polling stations managed by youth. To promote environmental awareness, 45 green polling stations have also been established, along with 29 stations near the LOC/IB for residents living in these sensitive areas.
Twenty-four special polling stations have been set up for Kashmiri migrant voters—19 in Jammu, four in Delhi, and one in Udhampur.
More than 20,000 polling staff will be deployed across the constituencies, ensuring smooth election conduct. The district-wise candidate breakdown includes 109 in Jammu, 101 in Baramulla, 59 in Kupwara, 42 in Bandipora, 37 in Udhampur, 35 in Kathua, and 32 in Samba.
Voting will take place from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. (GNS)