ECI Announces Dates For Second Phase Of J&K Assembly Polls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued the notification for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, set to take place in a three-phase electoral process. Candidates can now submit their nomination papers for this phase, with the deadline set for September 5. Scrutiny of these papers will occur on September 6, and candidates will have until September 9 to withdraw their nominations if desired.

Polling for the second phase is scheduled for September 25, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The results for all phases of the elections will be announced on October 4.

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This phase will cover several constituencies, including Kangan (ST), Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habba Kadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, Central Shalteng, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-i-Sharief, Chadoora, Gulabgarh (ST), Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera Rajouri (ST), Budhal (ST), Thannamandi (ST), Surankote (ST), Poonch Haveli, and Mendhar (ST).

Scrutiny Of Nomination

The scrutiny of nomination papers for the first phase concluded on Wednesday, resulting in the rejection of 34 candidates’ papers due to incomplete documentation. Notably, the nomination papers of Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, also known as Sarjan Barkati, were among those rejected. Authorities cited the absence of an essential oath certificate as the reason for the rejection.

According to the authorities, Wagay’s papers, filed on August 27, 2024, lacked a required oath certificate signed by the Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar, where Wagay is currently detained. The certificate, mandated under Section 16 of the J&K Reorganization Act 2019, had to be submitted before the date of scrutiny. Despite being given until 11 a.m. on August 28 to produce the necessary documents, the candidate’s representative submitted an incomplete and invalid oath certificate via WhatsApp, which did not meet the prescribed submission standards.

As a result, the Returning Officer was compelled to reject Wagay’s nomination papers due to non-compliance with the legal requirements.