Security Tightened Ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections

DIG Shridhar Patil assured sufficient security forces for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections. EVMs have been successfully dispatched for the first phase of polls scheduled on September 18. The polls will be conducted in three phases, with the final count on October 4.

In a bid to ensure a transparent and secure electoral process, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Ramban, Kishtwar, and Doda Range, Shridhar Patil, affirmed the presence of ample security forces ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Patil expressed optimism about the preparations, noting, "Assembly elections are going to take place here after 10 years. We have seen the excitement of people...I have come here to review the security arrangements....we are already ahead of time, preparations are underway very well...everything is going as per plan. We have sufficient security forces..."

Earlier, on August 26, the District Election Authority in Doda successfully dispatched 800 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to three different strong rooms under stringent security measures for the first phase of the 2024 assembly elections. The first phase of polling is set for September 18.

The District Election Officer (DEO) of Doda, Harvinder Singh, confirmed the safe transport of all EVMs to their respective constituencies, emphasizing the commitment to a smooth, transparent, and fair election. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will occur in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 4.

Voting will be held for 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, with 88.06 lakh registered electors, according to the Election Commission. Meanwhile, the National Conference and Congress have finalized a seat-sharing arrangement, with the National Conference contesting 51 out of 90 seats and Congress 32. A "friendly contest" is planned for five seats, alongside one seat each for the CPI(M) and the Panthers Party.

(With inputs from agencies.)