244 nominations accepted, 36 rejected for first phase of J-K Assembly elections

JAMMU — A day after 279 nomination papers were filed across 24 Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir for the first phase, 244 nomination papers have been accepted so far whereas 36 nomination papers were rejected which included supporting as well as some independent candidates.

As per the data available, the nomination papers of 14 independent candidates and 20 other candidates including supporting candidates were rejected by returning officers of different constituencies.

A total of 24 constituencies of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts of south Kashmir and eight constituencies of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts of Chenab valley will be going for polls on September 18 in the first phase of Assembly elections.

In all these constituencies, scrutiny of nomination papers was held whereas the last date for filing of nomination papers will be on August 30.

Many big names will be up for the battle which include Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti, PDP’s veteran politician Abdul Rehman Veeri, National Conference’s strongest woman candidate Sakeena Itoo, former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani and three-time MLA from Inderwal Ghulam Muhammad Saroori.

Since the elections were announced by Election Commission of India (ECI) of India on August 16, political parties jumped to prepare for these elections which are being held in Jammu and Kashmir first time after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

The last Assembly elections were held in J&K in 2016 whereas there is no popular government since 2018.

The notification for second phase of Assembly elections will be issued on Thursday in which constituencies of central Kashmir districts including Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal and constituencies of Rajouri, Reasi and Poonch districts will be going for the polls on September 25.

The notification for third phase will be issued on September 5 and the polling for this phase will be held on October 1. The counting of votes will be held on October 4.