Voting in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir’s three-stage Assembly election is currently underway, with stringent security measures in place. Voters in 24 constituencies across seven districts, on either side of the Pir Panjal mountain range, are casting their ballots for the first time in a decade.

This marks the first Assembly election in the region since the central government revoked Article 370 in 2019, ending Jammu and Kashmir's special status and reorganizing it into Union Territories.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged first-time voters to participate, urging them to "strengthen the festival of democracy." In a tweet, he called on young voters to exercise their right and vote in large numbers.

The election is being held in a changed political atmosphere after Article 370’s abrogation, with major regional and national parties, such as Farooq Abdullah’s National Conference, Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP, Congress, and BJP, vying for key gains. Smaller parties like Engineer Rashid’s Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party and Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference are also contesting, alongside several independents.

Key candidates in this phase include CPI(M)'s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami from Kulgam, AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir in Dooru, and Iltija Mufti in Srigufwara-Bijbehara. In the Jammu region, notable figures include former ministers Sajjad Kitchloo (NC), Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress), and Sunil Sharma (BJP).

Although Congress and the National Conference have allied, both parties are fielding candidates for a 'friendly contest' in several constituencies, including Banihal and Bhaderwah.

The first phase involves over 23 lakh eligible voters deciding the fate of 219 candidates, with 14,000 polling staff and 3,276 polling stations ensuring smooth elections. Security arrangements have been heightened, with the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and other agencies providing multi-layered protection.

The second and third phases of voting are scheduled for September 25 and October 1, with vote counting set for October 8.