The Diplomat Desk
Arun Jasrotia
Jammu, TDD, In a display of vibrant democracy, Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape is buzzing with activity as 483 candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the third and final phase of the 2024 Assembly Elections. The Chief Electoral Officer’s office announced on Thursday, September 12, that a total of 518 nomination papers were filed across 40 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) spanning seven districts, setting the stage for an intense electoral battle scheduled for October 1, 2024.
The nomination process, which concluded on Thursday, revealed a diverse spread of political aspirants across the region. Jammu district led the pack with 122 candidates, closely followed by Baramulla with 111. Kupwara saw 80 hopefuls, while Bandipora, Kathua, Udhampur, and Samba districts registered 50, 47, 40, and 33 candidates respectively. This distribution highlights the varied political dynamics at play across different parts of the union territory.
Notably, the Baramulla AC emerged as the hotspot of political competition, attracting the highest number of 26 candidates. In contrast, Akhnoor, Billawar, and Gurez ACs witnessed the lowest turnout with just 5 candidates each, indicating varying levels of political contestation across constituencies.
The Jammu division presented an interesting picture with Udhampur district’s four ACs drawing 40 nominations in total. Kathua’s six ACs saw 47 candidates stepping forward, while Samba’s three ACs attracted 33 contenders. Jammu district, with its 11 ACs, showcased significant political fervor, with constituencies like Jammu North leading with 17 nominations.
In the Kashmir Division, Kupwara district’s six ACs collectively drew 80 nominations, with Langate AC standing out with 22 candidates. Baramulla district’s seven ACs saw a total of 111 nominations, with Baramulla AC leading at 26 candidates. Bandipora district’s three ACs, including the ST-reserved Gurez AC, attracted a combined 50 nominations.
The election machinery is now gearing up for the next stages. The Returning Officers will scrutinize the nomination papers on September 13, 2024. Candidates have until September 17, 2024, 3:00 PM, to withdraw their nominations, after which the final list of contestants will be determined.
As the clock ticks towards October 1, 2024, when voters will cast their ballots between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, the political temperature in Jammu and Kashmir is set to rise. This final phase of the Assembly Elections marks a crucial juncture in the union territory’s democratic process, promising to shape its political future in the years to come.TDD
