SRINAGAR: Ahead of the first phase of polling scheduled for April 19th, polling teams have commenced their journey from Kathua, marking the onset of preparations for the Lok Sabha elections. The initial batch has been dispatched to the remote Bani assembly constituency, a critical electoral area within Kathua district.
Departing from Degree College, Kathua, vehicles transporting polling personnel set off on Monday evening, bound for 94 designated polling stations across Bani and Duggan blocks.
As per the info received by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) under the supervision of District Election Officer Dr. Rakesh Minhas, the polling teams are poised to report to the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) stationed in Bani upon their arrival. With a total of 94 polling stations in the Bani assembly constituency, the convoy embarked on its journey under tight security measures.
The Udhampur Lok Sabha seat, where the first phase of polling is scheduled, encompasses 18 assembly constituencies across five districts. Kathua district, with its six assembly constituencies, boasts the highest number of voters, totaling 503,227—surpassing the combined voter count of Ramban and Kishtwar districts.
Following Kathua, Udhampur district is next in line, with 419,854 registered voters anticipated to participate in the electoral process. Meanwhile, Doda district accounts for 305,093 voters, with Ramban and Kishtwar districts rounding out the voter demographics with 219,124 and 175,897 voters, respectively