NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 17 (NVI): Polling stations have been decorated across Jammu and Kashmir as the stage is set for the commencement of first ever Assembly polls after a decade. The phase one of the three phased polls will commence with the voting for 24 Assembly segments in J&K tomorrow.
Constituencies going to polls: In Kashmir, polling will be held in held in Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East and Pahalgam. In Jammu, the constituencies that will go to polls are: Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban and Banihal.
Voters: A total of 23,27,580 electors are eligible to vote during the Phase 1 of the J&K Assembly Elections, including 11,76,462 male electors, 11,51,058 female electors and 60 Third Gender Electors. “As many as 1.23 lakh youth between the age 18-19 years, along with 28,309 Person with Disabilities (PwDs) and 15,774 elderly voters above the age of 85 are also eligible to exercise their franchise in phase one,” reads the official date available with the office of Chief Electoral Office (CEO), J&K.
Mock Poll and actual time: The voting will take place from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm and before that there will be mock poll in the polling stations in presence of the polling agents. Also, the voting will continue even after 6.00 pm, if voter’s queue is still there in the Polling Station premises, the voters have a right to exercise their right to vote.
Special Polling Stations: There will be 24 polling booths managed by women, known as Pink Polling Stations, 24 polling stations manned by specially abled persons and 24 polling stations manned by youths. “Also, there will be 24 green polling stations in order to spread message about environmental concern and 17 Unique Polling stations. The purpose behind these special polling stations is to spread awareness among sections of society like women, specially abled, first time young voters to come forward and exercise their right to vote,” the official data suggests, adding that “Till date, more than 75,000 plants have been planted in the premises of all polling stations.”
Documents which can be used for voter’s identification: In addition to Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), the following 12 types of documents will also be allowed to verify a voter and aid him in voting. It is pertinent to mention here that EPIC card is not mandatory for voting. “If some voter has misplaced his/ her EPIC card, any of the following documents can be used by him at the Polling Station and after verification. These documents are as follow: Aadhaar Card, MGNREGA Job Card, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour, Driving License, PAN Card, smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension document with photograph, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt/PSUs/Public Limited Companies, Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs and Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, issued by M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.
Candidates keep fingers crossed: National Conference candidate from Srigufwara-Bijbehara Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri said that he is hopeful of his victory. “The mood on ground is in NC’s favour. Still, I am keeping my fingers crossed,” he told NVI.
Similarly, independent candidates too are hopeful of their victory. “This is for the first time that people have chosen a non-political figure from Pampore. All previous politicians have treated Pampore stepmotherly for the past seven decades,” said Muhammad Maqbool Shah, who is fighting as an independent candidate. BJP candidate from Bijbehara Sofi Muhammad Yousuf said that this time people are going to vote for a change. “I am sure I will be given a chance to serve people this time,” he said
400 Additional Companies of forces: In additional to the already existing forces, Centre has deployed 400 Additional Companies of forces in J&K to ensure safe and peaceful polls. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V K Birdhi said a multi-tier security grid is in place for peaceful and incident free polls. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu, Anand Jain said elaborate security arrangements are in place and all polling booths have been secured. (News Vibes of India)
