Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen democracy by voting in large numbers in the first phase of Assembly elections.
For the first time after the abolition of most of the provisions of Article 370, the first phase of assembly elections is being held in Jammu and Kashmir today.
In the first phase, voting is being held on 24 seats in three districts of Jammu region and four districts of Kashmir valley. In this phase, 219 candidates including 90 independents are in the fray.
“As the first phase of polling for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, I urge people of all constituencies who are eligible to participate in it today to come out in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy,” the Prime Minister said in a post on ‘X’. “I especially urge the young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise,” he said.
Voting for the second phase of elections will be held on September 25 and for the third phase on October 1. The election results will be declared on October 8.
