Jammu, Sep 09: On the last day of the withdrawal of nomination papers for the second phase of the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections in the 26 assembly constituencies, 27 candidates withdrew their candidature in the office of their respective Returning Officers across six districts on Monday, leaving 239 candidates in the final poll fray.
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K said that of the total 266 valid nominations, 27 candidates withdrew their nominations by the last date of withdrawal – September 9, 2024.
With this, only 239 validly nominated candidates now remain in the fray for the 26 assembly constituencies where polling will be held in the second phase of the assembly polls on September 25.
The highest nine candidates withdrew their nomination in Budgam district, followed by six in Srinagar, 5 each in Rajouri and Poonch, two in Reasi district, while no candidate withdrew their nomination in Ganderbal district.
With this, 93 candidates remain in the final electoral fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam, 34 in Rajouri, 25 in Poonch, 21 in Ganderbal, and 20 in Reasi district.
In the Reasi district, six candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in 56-Gulabgarh (ST); seven candidates in 57-Reasi; and seven in 58-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi AC.
In Rajouri district, 11 candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in 83-Kalakote-Sunderbani; five in 84-Nowshera; eight in 85-Rajouri (ST); four in 86-Budhal (ST); and six in 87-Thannamandi (ST).
In Poonch district, eight candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in 88-Surankote (ST); eight in 89-Poonch Haveli; and nine in 90-Mendhar (ST).
In Ganderbal district, six candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in 17- Kangan (ST) AC and 15 candidates in 18- Ganderbal AC.
In Srinagar district, 13 candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in 19-Hazratbal; 10 in 20-Khanyar; 16 in 21-Habbakadal; 10 in 22-Lal Chowk AC; eight in 23-Channapora; 10 in 24-Zadibal; 13 in 25-Eidgah; and 13 in 26-Central Shalteng.
In Budgam district, eight candidates remain in the final electoral fray for election in 27-Budgam; 12 in 28-Beerwah; 10 in 29-Khan Sahab; 10 in 30-Charar-e-Sharief; and six candidates in 31-Chadoora AC.
A total of 309 candidates had filed their nomination papers before their respective Returning Officers in 26 assembly constituencies till the last date of filing the nominations on September 5.
Of these, the nomination papers of 266 candidates were found valid during scrutiny held on September 6.
Now, with the withdrawal of 27 candidates, 239 candidates remain in the final electoral fray.