<p>The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections is set to take place today, Wednesday, September 18. Voting will occur in 24 out of the 90 constituencies across both the Kashmir and Jammu regions. This phase includes eight constituencies in the Jammu division and 16 in the Kashmir division. A total of 219 candidates are competing in this phase, including 90 independents. Over 23.27 lakh voters are eligible to participate, including 5.66 lakh young voters. This election marks the first assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. Key constituencies voting today include Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, and others in both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions. Notable candidates in Kashmir include Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, and National Conference’s Sakina Itoo. In Bijbehara, Iltija Mufti, daughter of former CM Mehbooba Mufti, is running against BJP’s Sofi Mohammad Yousuf and NC’s Bashir Ahmad Veeri. Security arrangements, according to Inspector General of Police for Kashmir, V K Birdi, involve multi-tier forces from the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) and Jammu and Kashmir police to ensure safe voting. The Election Commission has reported that out of the 23,27,580 eligible voters, there are 11,76,462 male voters, 11,51,058 female voters, and 60 third-gender voters. The electorate includes 1.23 lakh voters aged 18-19, over 15,000 voters above the age of 85, and 28,309 voters with disabilities.</p>