Jammu, Sep 29 – Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir is poised for a significant electoral event as it gears up for the third and final phase of Assembly elections scheduled for October 1. With a total electorate of 506,679, the district is set to witness a robust democratic process across its six Assembly Constituencies: Bani, Billawar, Basohli, Jasrota, Kathua, and Hiranagar.
To ensure a seamless voting experience, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 704 polling stations throughout the district, comprising 73 urban and 631 rural stations. This strategic setup aims to facilitate all eligible voters, including 265,420 males, 241,256 females, and individuals from the third gender.
Among the constituencies, 67-Kathua (SC) AC leads with the highest registration, boasting 109,000 voters—57,243 males and 51,757 females—across 131 polling stations. Of these, 57 are urban, while 74 serve rural voters.
Following closely is the 64-Billawar AC, which has 94,845 registered voters, including 49,590 males and 45,255 females. To cater to this population, 130 polling stations have been set up, with 4 in urban areas and 126 in rural regions.
The 68-Hiranagar AC ranks next with a total of 88,261 voters, comprised of 45,913 males and 42,348 females. Here, 110 polling stations have been designated—7 urban and 103 rural—to facilitate easy access to the ballot.
Additionally, the 66-Jasrota AC has 87,092 registered voters (45,495 males and 41,597 females), supported by 132 rural polling stations to ensure an efficient voting process. The 65-Basohli AC, with 69,407 voters (36,396 males and 33,009 females), has established 107 polling stations, including 5 urban and 102 rural.
Lastly, the 63-Bani AC features 58,074 registered voters, comprising 30,783 males and 27,290 females, along with one transgender voter. To enhance accessibility, the ECI has set up 94 rural polling stations in this constituency.
To further encourage voter participation, the district has introduced specialized polling stations, including all-women Pink polling stations, facilities for persons with disabilities, youth-led stations, unique polling centers, and Green Polling Stations aimed at promoting environmentally friendly practices.
As the election date approaches, voter education programs are actively being conducted across the district to raise awareness about the importance of voting and to maximize turnout. With all arrangements in place, Kathua district is ready to engage in this crucial phase of the General Elections to the Legislative Assembly-2024.