As the third phase of elections kicks off in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in the strong participation of women voters in this democratic process. In a post on X, he encouraged first-time voters to make their voices heard.
“Today marks the third and final round of voting in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. I urge all voters to step forward and cast their ballots to celebrate this festival of democracy. I believe that in addition to the youth voting for the first time, women will also take part in large numbers,” PM Modi stated.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a government that can make decisive actions to ensure security, peace, and stability in the region. “Jammu and Kashmir requires a visionary government capable of making strong decisions for its security, peace, and stability. Voters in this final phase should leverage their electoral power to establish a government that distances Jammu and Kashmir from terrorism, separatism, nepotism, and corruption while safeguarding the rights of all communities. Make a historic choice for tourism, education, employment, and comprehensive development in Jammu and Kashmir,” Shah wrote on X.
Polling for the third and final phase commenced at 7 AM today, with voters lining up at polling stations across 40 constituencies in seven districts of the Union Territory. Of these constituencies, 24 are located in the Jammu division, while the remainder are in the Kashmir Valley.
A total of 415 candidates, including former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand from Congress and Muzaffar Hussain Beig, are vying for positions in this phase. Mock polling had taken place at various booths prior to the voting.
The first phase of voting occurred on September 18, followed by the second phase on September 25. High-profile leaders, including PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (BJP), Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and former J-K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, actively campaigned in the region in the lead-up to the elections. Vote counting is scheduled for October 8.
