JK Assembly elections: PM Modi to address rallies in Jammu and Kashmir today | Mint

After 59 percent of voters turned out in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir state elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address a public rally in Srinagar and Katra on Thursday.

Also Read: Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 Live Updates: 61% turnout in Phase 1, highest in Inderwal at 82%

“A mega BJP rally will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Park, Srinagar ahead of the state assembly elections,” a party spokesperson told PTI.

About 30,000 party members are expected at the event.

“Senior BJP leader Mohammad Anwar Khan has been appointed as the rally leader,” he added.

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Voting will take place in three phases: on September 18, September 25 and October 1. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8.

The rally is part of the BJP’s campaign to drum up support for its candidates in the Valley, where the party has yet to win a single seat. Of the 47 seats in Kashmir, the BJP has nominated candidates in 19 constituencies, less than a third of the total and fewer than in the previous elections in 2014.

The BJP has announced that the rally will be held at the Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar. 30,000 party members and supporters are expected to attend.

In response, security forces in Srinagar and across Kashmir have been put on heightened alert. Police officers have increased patrols and set up multiple checkpoints to prevent security breaches.

“The first phase of the general elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly reported an estimated voter turnout of 61.11 per cent as at 11.30 pm. This figure will be updated by field officials once the remaining polling stations return,” the Election Commission said in a press release late in the evening.

Also Read: First Phase of Jammu & Kashmir State Assembly Elections Begin: Iltija Mufti, Yousuf Tarigami Among Top Six Candidates in the Flock

The final count of votes per polling station will be provided to polling station members at the end of the polling process in form 17 C.

In Kishtwar district, Inderwal constituency had the highest voter turnout at 82.16 percent, followed by Padder-Nagseni at 80.67 percent and Kishtwar at 78.11 percent.

In the neighbouring Doda district, the Doda West segment recorded a turnout of 75.98 percent, Doda 72.48 percent and Bhaderwah 67.18 percent.

In Ramban district, Banihal segment recorded a turnout of 71.28 percent, while Ramban recorded a turnout of 69.60 percent.

Also Read: JK Assembly Polls Phase 1 Today: Find Out All The Constituency Details And Key Candidates To Watch

Of the seven constituencies in Anantnag district, Pahalgam had the highest voter turnout with 71.26 percent, followed by Kokernag with 62 percent, Dooru with 61.61 percent, Srigufwara-Bijbehara with 60.33 percent, Shangus-Anantnag with 56.72 percent, Anantnag West with 48.73 percent and Anantnag with 45.62 percent.

The second phase of the election is scheduled for September 25, followed by the third phase on October 1. The votes will be counted on October 8.

Also Read: JK Assembly Polls: In 2014, PDP won 11 of the 24 seats polled in phase 1 today; NC and Congress won 4 seats each

The National Conference and Congress have joined hands and formed an alliance in preparation for the elections.

These elections are important because they are the first to be held in almost a decade and the first since the abolition of Article 370.

(With input from agencies)