Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNO): North Kashmir is prepared for a highly competitive political showdown tomorrow, with officials saying that robust security arrangements are in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the last phase of assembly elections.
According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Baramulla district, which encompasses seven assembly constituencies—Sopore, Rafiabad, Uri, Baramulla, Wagoora-Kreeri, Gulmarg and Pattan—has a total of 722,923 registered voters, including 364,517 males, 358,394 females, and 12 third-gender voters. A total of 107 candidates, including 51 independents, are set to contest across these constituencies. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 908 polling stations in Baramulla.
In Bandipora district, comprising three assembly constituencies—Sonawari, Bandipora and Gurez—there are 259,893 voters, with 132,679 males, 127,208 females, and 6 third-gender voters. The ECI has set up 312 polling stations, including 46 urban and 266 rural stations, to facilitate a smooth voting process.
Kupwara district, which consists of six assembly constituencies—Karnah, Trehgam, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara and Langate—has 540,483 registered voters, including 270,776 males and 269,697 females. The district will have 622 polling stations, with 599 located in rural areas and 23 in urban regions.
Specialised polling stations, including Pink Polling Stations, Youth Polling Stations, and PwD-manned Polling Stations, have also been established to assist voters.
Maqsood-Ul Zaman, DIG of North Kashmir Range, said that 400 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), along with armed police and other security personnel have been deployed throughout north Kashmir to ensure a secure polling process. “We have strong coordination among the forces to ensure free and fair elections and a safe environment for voters,” he said.
Zaman added that contingency plans are in place to address any potential law-and-order situations. "We are fully prepared for various scenarios, whether it's related to contingency plans, law and order issues, or any other requirements for smooth polling," he said.
The third phase of the assembly elections is set to take place tomorrow, involving 40 seats.
In Jammu, 24 seats are expected to see a close contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, while 16 seats in the Kashmir region will witness competition among candidates from the INDIA bloc, including the National Conference-Congress alliance and candidates from the People’s Conference (PC) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP)—(KNO)