Srinagar: The Polling for the first phase of General Elections to the Legislative Assembly for the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled for 18th September 2024 in 24 Assembly Constituencies.
Total 3276 polling stations are set up for polling to be held in Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, Pahalgam, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban and Banihal Assembly Constituencies.
Officials said that in the first phase, there are 3276 Polling stations across 7 districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar. These include 302 Urban Polling Stations and 2974 Rural Polling Stations. Four election staff, including Presiding Officer, will be stationed in every polling station. In total, more than 14,000 Polling staff will be deployed on duty for 1st phase election.
“A total of 23,27,580 electors are eligible to vote during Phase 1 of the J&K Assembly Elections, including 11,76,462 male electors, 11,51,058 female electors and 60 Third Gender Electors. As many as 1.23 lakh youth between the age 18-19 years, along with 28,309 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and 15,774 elderly voters above the age of 85 are also eligible to exercise their franchise in phase one,” said the officials.
They said that the voting will take place from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm and before that there will be mock poll in the polling stations in the presence of the polling agents. Also, the voting will continue even after 6.00 pm, if voter’s queue is still there in the Polling Station premises to exercise their right to vote.
Every polling station will be provided with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) like drinking water, electricity, toilet, ramp, furniture, verandah/shed besides wheelchairs will also be provided to the needy, the officials said, adding, the ballot unit will also have a list of contesting candidates in brail script.
“There will be 24 polling booths managed by women, known as Pink Polling Stations, 24 polling stations manned by specially-abled persons and 24 polling stations manned by youths. Also, there will be 24 green polling stations in order to spread messages about environmental concerns and 17 Unique Polling stations. The purpose behind these special polling stations is to spread awareness among sections of society like women, specially-abled, first-time young voters to come forward and exercise their right to vote,” the officials said.
