J&K Assembly Polls, Phase 3: 449 candidates in poll fray for 40 Assembly segments

Srinagar: After phases 1 and 2, attention has now shifted to phase 3, where 449 candidates are contesting in 40 assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir.
In this final phase of the Assembly elections, 40 constituencies will go to the polls. Among them, 23 constituencies are in the Jammu region and 17 in Kashmir. In Kashmir, these constituencies are spread across the three districts of North Kashmir—Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara. Similarly, in the Jammu division, polls are scheduled in districts such as Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, and Samba.
The highest number of candidates are contesting from Jammu (113), followed by Baramulla (107), Kupwara (75), Bandipora (46), Kathua (38), Udhampur (38), and Samba (32).
The Jammu district includes eleven Assembly constituencies: Bishnah (SC), Suchetgarh (SC), R.S. Pura-Jammu South, Bahu, Jammu East, Nagrota, Jammu West, Jammu North, Marh (SC), Akhnoor (SC), and Chhamb. The total number of voters is 1,200,977—619,066 male, 581,887 female, and 24 third-gender voters.
For smooth and hassle-free voting, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 1,494 polling stations across the district, with 609 urban polling stations and 885 rural polling stations.
Among the eleven Assembly constituencies in the district, R.S. Pura-Jammu South (74-AC) has the highest number of registered voters, with 130,107, comprising 67,322 males, 62,782 females, and 3 transgender voters. The constituency has 149 polling stations, 98 urban and 51 rural, to ensure a smooth voting experience for all registered voters.
Political parties have intensified their election campaigns, and all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure smooth and peaceful polling in the districts where voting is scheduled for October 1. Currently, several voter awareness programs are underway in various parts of the districts to highlight the importance of voting and to encourage maximum voter turnout.
To promote maximum voter participation and facilitate the process, dedicated polling stations have been set up across the district for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), women-managed polling booths (Pink Polling Stations), youth-manned polling stations, Green Polling Stations, and Unique Polling Stations.
In North Kashmir, voting will take place in constituencies such as Sopore, Baramulla, Rafiabad, Kreeri, Pattan, Wagoora, Gurez, Uri, Gulmarg, Lolab, Langate, and Bandipora, among others.
During an election rally in Sopore on Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated, “People are eating apples from foreign countries, but I want this apple to reach America. If this apple is to reach Japan and America, the first step must be the restoration of statehood. Without this, it is not possible.”