Fourth Phase: Big wigs in fray for 18 seats

1.4 mn voters to decide fate of 182 candidates

 PS Bali

Jammu, Dec 3: Around 1.4 million electorates will decide the fate of 182 candidates, including present chief minister, Omar Abdullah and PDP ‘Chief Ministerial’ candidate  , Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, besides other big-wigs for 18 out of total 87 seats going to polls in the fourth phase of five-phase Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections being held on December 14.

 As per officials, a total of 14, 730, 50 voters including 767,47,1 males and 705,55,9 females, besides 20 third gender electors are likely to exercise their franchise in 18 constituencies on the poll day.

Situated in the heart of Srinagar city, Batamaloo assembly segment has the largest number of 120,33,9 voters among the 18 constituencies.

Of the total electorates, it has 62,88,5 male and 57,45,4 female voters for which Election Commission has set up 155 polling stations to facilitate the voters to elect among 16 candidates in the fray.

Khaniyar constituency in Srinagar city has lowest number with 51,01,0 voters, including 26,55,3 males and 24,45,6 females, which will decide the fate of six candidates contesting from the constituency.

The cabinet minister in Omar government and senior NC leader, Ali Mohammad Sagar, is seeking fourth term in row from the Constituency.

Sonawar segment in Srinagar, bastion of National Conference (NC) has total 77,505 voters including 40,481 males and 37,024 females, wherein 16 candidates, including chief minister Omar Abdullah is in fray. Authorities have setup 91 polling stations to facilitate the election process.

In 2008, assembly polls Farooq Abdullah had defeated Sheikh Ghulam Qadir Pardesi of PDP with only 94 votes. Pertinently this time Omar had quit Ganderbal seat to concentrate on Sonawar segment. Two women candidates, including Khem Lata Wakhlu (INC) and Dr Darakhshan Andrabi (BJP) are also vying from the same segment.

Another high profile Anantnag constituency, presently represented by PDP ‘Chief Ministerial’ candidate, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, also going to polls in fourth phase, has 83,574 voters including 42,733 males and 40,841 females. Total eight candidates are in fray and the voters would decide their fate by polling at 102 polling stations. Pertinently, once NC stalwart, former MP Mehboob Beg had extended unconditional support to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in the constituency.

A total of 99,850 voters including 52,529 males and 47,321 females will decide the fate of 12 candidates in fray from Hazratbal segment, wherein 123 polling stations have been set up.

 In Zadibal, 76,909 voters, including 40,059 males and 36,849 females will exercise their franchise at 99 polling stations to elect among 13 candidates in fray.

For Eidgah seat, the fate of eight candidates will be decided by a total of 58,822 voters, including 30,715 males and 28,107 females, who will exercise their franchise at 83 polling stations.

The Habba Kadal assembly segment represented by Women Commission chairperson and NC stalwart, Shamima Firdous has total of 54,852 voters which includes 27,857 males and 26,994 females. Election Commission has set up 61 polling stations to facilitate the voters. 11 candidates are in race from the segment.

The Amira Kadal assembly segment represented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s close aide and NC’s provincial President, Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani has 86,514 voters which include 44,641 males and 41,873 females, with 106 polling stations to facilitate the voters to choose among 14 candidates in race, including BJP’s Hina Shafi Bhat.

 Doru constituency is represented by cabinet minister, Ghulam Ahmed Mir with total 74,291 voters and 94 polling stations. Kokernag segment is represented by another cabinet minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayed of Congress has 86,765 voters and 105 polling stations.

Shangus constituency has total 82,586 voters including 43,074 males and 39,506 females. It has 103 polling stations with nine candidates in fray.

Bijbhehara constituency has total 86,900 voters, who will decide about the fate of five candidates in fray. Election department has set up 112 polling stations in the constituency. Pahalgam segment has total 80,936 voters which include 41973 males and 38962 females. 115 polling stations are set by to facilitate voters.

High profile Waachi constituency, which remains unfilled after PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti was elected as MP in May this year. It has total 79,238 voters including 42,289 males and 36,954 females. Authorities have set up 95 polling stations while 10 candidates are in fray.

Shopian has total 82,335 voters including 43,880 males and 38,354 females. Election department has set up 101 polling stations, while 10 candidates are in fray.

Similarly, in two constituencies of the Jammu region, total of 1, 90,624 including 98,345 males and 92,227 females will decide the fate of 22 candidates in fray.

In Samba, six candidates among sitting Panther Party candidate Yash Pal Kundal are in race, while authorities have set up 128 polling stations to facilitate 82,500 voters, including 43,099 males and 39,400 females.

In Vijaypur, 131 polling stations have been set up for total 1, 08,124 voters, where 14 candidates are trying their luck, including NC stalwart and former minister Surjit Singh Salathia.