Balloting begins on a brisk note in Jammu and Kashmir

Polling began on Tuesday in the first of the five-phase assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Fifteen constituencies will elect their representatives to the 87-member legislative assembly in this phase.

Voting began on a brisk note on Tuesday in 15 constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir going to polls in first of the five-phased state elections. Braving cold weather, voters today lined up at polling stations much before the start of the voting. Twelve sitting MLAs, including seven ministers, are among 123 candidates trying their luck in the 15 constituencies that are going to polls in all three regions of the state. While six constituencies in Jammu division will vote to elect their representatives, electorate in five segments in Kashmir and four in Ladakh will decide the political fortunes of the aspirants in the polling. The Assembly segments going to polls include Kishtwar, Inderwal, Doda, Bhaderwah, Ramban and Banihal (in Jammu division); Gurez, Bandipora, Sonawari, Kangan and Ganderbal (in Kashmir), Nobra, Leh, Kargil and Zanskar (in Ladakh). A total of 10,502,50 voters, including 5,49,698 males and 5,00,539 females, besides 13 transgenders are eligible to exercise their right to franchise in the first phase of the polls. Bhaderwah has the largest number of 1,04,354 voters among the 15 constituencies, while Nobra constituency in Ladakh region has the lowest number with 13,054 voters.