Elections for the 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that voting will take place on 24 seats on September 18, 26 seats on September 25, and 40 seats on October 1. The vote counting will occur on October 4.
Following the announcement of the assembly elections in the state, political activities in Jammu and Kashmir have accelerated. National Conference President Farooq Abdullah mentioned his expectations from the Election Commission to provide equal opportunities for all parties, preventing favoritism towards any single party. He declared his candidacy for the upcoming elections and stated that Omar Abdullah would not contest this time. Once the state's status is resolved, he plans to step down, allowing Omar Abdullah to contest from his seat.
Meanwhile, Ghulam Nabi Azad reacted to the election announcement, noting that it has been 10 years since the last elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that this is the first time since independence that such a long interval has occurred between elections. He emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly awaiting the elections, more so than the rest of the country, the media, and political leaders.
Azad expressed hope for fair elections, stressing that it would help dispel the prevailing fear and secure safety for everyone. He remarked on the successful conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections and expressed optimism that the hardships experienced over the past decade would be alleviated post these elections. He highlighted the improvement from the previous elections held in 8-9 phases to just three phases this time.
Ghulam Nabi Azad asserted that whoever assumes power will reflect the people's choice. He urged the voters not to elect based on religion or caste but to make decisions beyond such sentiments. Azad also called on the media to verify information thoroughly, given the rapid spread of rumors in Jammu and Kashmir within 24 hours.
