Nomination papers of 35 candidates including Barkati rejected, 244 found valid for Phase-I

Notification for 26 seats to be issued today

*11 seats of Jammu to go to polls in Phase-II

Sanjeev Pargal/
Fayaz Bukhari

JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Aug 28: On the day of scrutiny for 24 Assembly seats, 35 nomination papers were rejected and 244 were found valid today while the process for filing papers for second phase of polling on 26 seats including 11 in Jammu division and 15 in the Kashmir valley will open tomorrow.

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Officials said out of a total of 279 nomination papers received till yesterday for first phase of polling scheduled for September 18, 35 papers were rejected including that of jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Barkati from Zainapora Assembly constituency.
“Nomination papers of all prominent candidates on 24 seats including eight in Doda region of Jammu division and 16 in Kashmir were found valid,” they said.
Papers of only those nominees who had filed nominations as supporting candidates and some Independents were rejected, the officials said, adding that documents of all candidates of major political parties and prominent Independent candidates were found in order.
August 30 is the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers after which exact number of candidates who will be in the fray for Phase-I will be known.
Sarjan Barkati, whose nomination papers were rejected, is lodged in Central Jail Srinagar after he was rearrested by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) in August last year in a criminal case of crowd funding and money laundering. Later, his wife was also arrested.
His daughter, Sugra Barkati, accompanied by activists Adil Ahmad Khan and Anghar Chand were joined by PDP candidate Ghulam Mohiudin Wani and Independent Aijaz Mir to protest against the rejection of nomination papers.
Meanwhile, the process for nominations for second phase of Assembly elections will start tomorrow on 26 Assembly seats of Jammu and Kashmir.
They include 11 seats in Jammu division including three in Reasi district (Gulabgarh-ST, Reasi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi), five in Rajouri (Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri-ST, Budhal-ST and Thannamandi-ST) and three in Poonch district (Surankote-ST, Poonch Haveli and Mendhar-ST).
Fifteen seats in the Valley where filing of papers will start tomorrow include Kangan-ST, Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, Central Shalteng, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Charar-i-Sharief and Chadoora.
For second phase of polling, the candidates can file their nomination papers till September 5 while scrutiny will take place on September 6 and September 9 is last date for withdrawal of nomination papers.
Polling for these seats will be held on September 25.
For first phase of elections, 84 nomination papers were found valid in the Jammu division including 34 in Doda district, 29 in Kishtwar district and 21 in Ramban district,
In Kishtwar district, nomination papers of 12 candidates were found valid in Inderwal; 10 candidates in Kishtwar; while nomination papers of 7 candidates have been accepted in Padder-Nagseni.
In Doda district, nomination papers of 14 candidates were accepted in Bhadarwah; 11 candidates in Doda and 9 candidates in Doda West.
In Ramban district, a total of 12 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in Ramban; while nomination papers of 9 candidates have been accepted in Banihal.
Similarly, in Pulwama district, nomination papers of 14 candidates were accepted in Pampore AC; 10 candidates in Tral AC; 12 candidates in Pulwama AC; and 10 candidates in 35-Rajpora AC.
In Shopian district, a total of 10 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 36-Zainapora AC; while nomination papers of 11 candidates have been accepted in 37-Shopian AC.
In Kulgam district, nomination papers of 6 candidates were accepted in 38-DH Pora AC; 10 candidates in 39-Kulgam AC; and 10 candidates in 40-Devsar AC.
In Anantnag district, a total of 12 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 41-Dooru AC; 10 candidates in 42-Kokernag (ST) AC; 10 candidates in 43-Anantnag West AC; 13 candidates in 44-Anantnag AC; 3 candidates in 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara AC; 13 candidates in 46-Shangus-Anantnag East AC; while nomination papers of 6 candidates have been accepted in 47-Pahalgam AC.
It may be mentioned that more than 23.27 lakh voters including 5.66 lakh youths are eligible to exercise their electoral franchise during the Phase-I of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election.