Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 24: Over 7,000 polling staff and thousands of security force personnel today took positions at 1838 polling stations set up across 15 Assembly constituencies of Central Kashmir, where voting will be held tomorrow in the second phase Assembly elections.
The roads around the distribution centre of the polling material including electronic voting machines across the Central Kashmir were blocked for smooth conduct of the exercise. The polling staff started arriving at the distribution centres in the morning and by the afternoon the exercise was completed and poll staff along with material including EVMs were dispatched in the vehicles that were parked near the centre since yesterday morning.
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Ensuring that the polling proceeds without disruptions, a multi-tier security blanket has been put in place.
This includes personnel from police, armed police, and Central paramilitary forces, who were dispatched to the polling stations early this morning. Sensitive areas have been identified, and additional forces have been stationed in these regions to pre-empt any disturbances.
“The safety of voters is our top priority, and we have made elaborate arrangements to create a fear-free atmosphere at each polling station,” said Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, VK Birdi.
“Voters can come out in large numbers without any hesitation. We are determined to make this election process as smooth and secure as possible.”
Strong rooms, where the electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be stored after the close of polls tomorrow, have been secured with round-the-clock digital surveillance to ensure their safety and integrity. Strict monitoring measures, including webcasting at every polling station, have also been put in place by the ECI to enhance transparency.
All polling stations will have webcasting facilities, a significant move by the ECI to maintain the transparency of the election process. Webcasting will allow election officials to monitor the voting in real-time and address any issues promptly. This technological intervention is expected to bolster confidence in the voting process, ensuring that electoral malpractices are minimized. Click here to watch video
Around 15 lakh voters will decide the fate of 160 candidates in this phase in Central Kashmir tomorrow in 15 Assembly constituencies of 17-Kangan (ST); 18-Ganderbal; 19-Hazratbal; 20-Khanyar; 21-Habbakadal; 22-Lal Chowk; 23-Channapora; 24-Zadibal; 25-Eidgah; 26-Central Shalteng; 27-Budgam; 28-Beerwah; 29-Khansahib; 30-Chrar-i-Sharief and 31-Chadoora across three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal.
There are 14, 96, 556 lakh voters in this phase, comprising 7,51, 572 lakh male voters, 7, 44, 941 lakh female voters and 43 third-gender voters.
There are 93 candidates in fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam district, 21 in Ganderbal district.
In Srinagar district, 13 candidates are in fray in Hazratbal; 10 candidates in Khanyar; 16 candidates in Habbakadal; 10 candidates in 22-Lal Chowk; 8 candidates in 23-Channapora; 10 candidates in 24-Zadibal; 13 candidates in 25-Eidgah; while 13 candidates are contesting in 26-Central Shalteng.
In Budgam district, 8 candidates are in fray in 27-Budgam; 12 candidates in 28-Beerwah; 10 candidates in 29-Khansahib; 10 candidates in 30-Chrar-i-Sharief; while 6 candidates are contesting in 31-Chadoora.
In Ganderbal district, 6 candidates are contesting in Kangan (ST) and 15 candidates are contesting in Ganderbal.
Srinagar district has a total of 7,76,674 registered voters, including 3,87,722 males, 3,88,922 females, and 30 transgender voters across eight Assembly constituencies. A total of 932 polling stations are spread across these constituencies.
Budgam District has a total of 5,11,864 voters across its five Assembly constituencies; 2,59,688 male voters, 2,52,163 female voters, and 13 transgender voters. A total of 639 polling stations are spread across the District.
The Ganderbal district has 2,08,018 registered voters, including 1,04,162 male and 1,03,856 female voters. A comprehensive network of 267 polling stations has been established here.
The voting will take place from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.
The prominent contestants in this phase are National Conference Vice president, Omar Abdullah who is contesting from Ganderbal and Budgam constituencies, NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, former Finance and NC leader Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, former Speaker and NC leader Mubarak Gul, former PDP Ministers Aasia Naqash and Ghulam Nabi Hanjoora, Apni party Chief Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yasin and jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay (Barkati) who is contesting from two constituencies of Ganderbal and Beerwah.
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