Doda District Election Officer Harvinder Singh announced that the code of conduct has come into effect as the district’s three constituencies are set to vote in the first phase on September 18. During a press conference on Saturday, Singh stated that the deadline for filing nominations is August 27.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) released the election schedule for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on August 16. Polling in the UT will take place in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. Singh mentioned that the polling notification will be issued on August 20, and the last date to withdraw candidacies will be August 30.
“A model code of conduct was enforced as soon as the election date was announced. We have organized training and interactive sessions with political parties,” said the district election officer.
According to the ECI, vote counting is scheduled for October 4. The election body has instructed enforcement agencies to ensure impartiality and transparency to facilitate smooth and fair polling, providing a level playing field.
Jammu and Kashmir has 90 assembly constituencies, including 74 general, nine ST, and seven SC seats. The total electorate stands at 87.09 lakh, comprising 44.46 lakh males, 42.62 lakh females, 169 transgender individuals, 82,590 PwDs, 73,943 very senior citizens, 2,660 centenarians, 76,092 service electors, and 3.71 lakh first-time voters.
This election marks the first in Jammu and Kashmir in ten years, as the last assembly election took place in 2014. The PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed in June 2018 when the BJP withdrew its support from then-Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. In December of last year, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to complete the election process by September 30, 2024.
