Highest 15 candidates in Ganderbal AC, lowest 4 in Budhal AC
Raina, Omar, Karra among prominent contestants
Srinagar, SEPT 09: As the deadline for the withdrawal of nomination papers closed on Monday, 27 candidates withdrew from the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections, leaving 239 candidates in the final contest across 26 Assembly constituencies.
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, confirmed that of the 266 valid nominations, 27 candidates opted to withdraw by the last date, September 9, 2024. This has set the stage for the polling in the second phase, scheduled for September 25, 2024.
Prominent among those in the fray for these seats are Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah who is contesting from two seats, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Tariq Hamid Karra.
Budgam district saw the highest number of withdrawals, with nine candidates stepping down. Srinagar followed with six withdrawals, while five candidates each withdrew in Rajouri and Poonch districts. In Reasi district, two candidates pulled out, whereas Ganderbal district saw no withdrawals.
The final tally of candidates remaining in the fray stands at 93 in Srinagar district, 46 in Budgam district, 34 in Rajouri district, 25 in Poonch district, 21 in Ganderbal district, and 20 in Reasi district.
Initially, 309 candidates had filed their nomination papers across these 26 constituencies. Following scrutiny on September 6, 2024, 266 candidates were cleared to contest. With Monday’s withdrawals, the final number of candidates in the fray now stands at 239.
The second phase of voting is a crucial part of the broader electoral process, marking the first Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections since the region’s special status was revoked and statehood withdrawn in 2019. Polling will take place in three phases, with results expected on October 8, 2024.
BOX:
Dist-wise breakdown:
Reasi District:
Gulabgarh (ST) AC: 6 candidates
Reasi AC: 7 candidates
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi AC: 7 candidates
Rajouri District:
Kalakote–Sunderbani AC: 11 candidates
Nowshera AC: 5 candidates
Rajouri (ST) AC: 8 candidates
Budhal (ST) AC: 4 candidates
Thannamandi (ST) AC: 6 candidates
Poonch District:
Surankote (ST) AC: 8 candidates
Poonch Haveli AC: 8 candidates
Mendhar (ST) AC: 9 candidates
Ganderbal District:
Kangan (ST) AC: 6 candidates
Ganderbal AC: 15 candidates
Srinagar District:
Hazratbal AC: 13 candidates
Khanyar AC: 10 candidates
Habbakadal AC: 16 candidates
Lal Chowk AC: 10 candidates
Channapora AC: 8 candidates
Zadibal AC: 10 candidates
Eidgah AC: 13 candidates
Central Shalteng AC: 13 candidates
Budgam District:
27-Budgam AC: 8 candidates
28-Beerwah AC: 12 candidates
29-Khansahib AC: 10 candidates
Chrar-I-Sharief AC: 10 candidates
Chadoora AC: 6 candidates
