25.78 lakh voters to decide fate of 239 candidates

Srinagar, Sep 24: Jammu and Kashmir is set to vote for the second phase of assembly elections, in which 26 constituencies with over 25 lakh voters are set to decide the fate of 239 contestants on Wednesday.The electoral stakes are high, with 25,78,099 voters eligible to vote in this phase.This electorate comprises 13,12,730 male voters, 12,65,316 female voters, and 53 third-gender voters.The political arena is charged with the presence of several heavyweight candidates.Chowk with 10 each, Channapora with 8, Zadibal with 10, and both Eidgah and Central Shalteng with 13 each. This high number of candidates in Srinagar constituencies underscores the political significance of the summer capital and the diverse political aspirations it represents.To facilitate this mammoth electoral exercise, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established an extensive network of 3502 polling stations, all equipped with webcasting to ensure transparency. This includes 1056 urban and 2446 rural stations, reflecting the demographic spread of the electorate.In a move to enhance voter participation and address specific needs, 157 special polling stations have been set up. These include 26 Pink Polling Stations managed entirely by women, fostering gender representation in the electoral process. Additionally, 26 stations are manned by specially-abled persons, promoting inclusivity, while another 26 are managed by youth, encouraging young people’s participation in democracy. The presence of 31 border polling stations highlights the unique geographical challenges of the region, while 26 green polling stations and 22 unique polling stations further demonstrate the ECI’s efforts to make voting accessible and environmentally conscious.The participation of six female candidates across five constituencies adds another layer of interest to these elections. Shamim Firdous of the NC and Rubina Akhter of the National Loktantrik Party are both contesting from the high-profile Habba Kadal seat. Asiea Naqash from the PDP is in the fray from Hazratbal, a constituency that has been an NC stronghold for decades until Naqash’s victory in 2014. Independent candidates Nilofar Sajjad Gandru, Pinty Devi, and Diksha Kaluria are contesting from Chadoora, Kalakote-Sunderbani, and Reasi respectively, adding diversity to the political landscape.