Jammu and Kashmir: Assembly elections after 10 years, why more force deployed than required for the first phase of voting

New Delhi : The election campaign for the first phase of voting for 24 seats in Jammu and Kashmir, which has 90 assembly seats, ended on Monday. In view of the terrorist attack, security arrangements have been made very strong for the first phase of voting. It has been claimed that terrorists will not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious designs during the voting. But this will also not mean that the people of Jammu and Kashmir feel that the elections are being held under the shadow of bayonets.

219 candidates on 24 seats

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office of Jammu and Kashmir informed that all preparations have been completed for the first phase of voting on September 18. In the first phase, 219 candidates are trying their luck on 24 seats. The minimum number of three candidates are contesting from Shrigufwara assembly seat number-45 of Anantnag district. While the maximum number of 14 candidates are trying their luck from Pampore seat number-32 of Pulwama district. Initially, 279 candidates had filed nomination papers for the first phase. But later, after scrutiny of nomination papers and withdrawal of names, now 219 candidates are left in the electoral fray.

Record nominations for the third phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, see how many candidates are there where?

23.27 lakh voters will cast their votes

The commission said that 23.27 lakh voters will cast their votes in the first phase. These include 11.76 lakh male and 11.51 lakh female voters. These include 5.66 lakh young and 60 third gender voters. Note that after the removal of Article 370 in 2019, assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time. The last time assembly elections were held in the Union Territory was in 2014. After 10 years, assembly elections are being held here now.

Deployment of more forces than required

Officials said that in the first phase, elections are being held in 24 seats of Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts. To ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully, BSF, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other paramilitary forces have been deployed. An official said that in the security review done for the first phase, more forces have been deployed than what is required here.

However, this does not mean that people feel that elections are being held under the shadow of bayonets. Modern technology has been used for security arrangements. IB, NIA and other security agencies are working to catch all the code words used to carry out any kind of nefarious activities from across the border.