Iltija Mufti's poll debut, Engineer Rashid's campaign for J&K polls

New Delhi: As Jammu and Kashmir gears up for the first phase of assembly elections in the state—the first in 10 years—Wednesday, ThePrint brings you on-the-ground glimpses from Bijbehara, Pulwama and Baramulla. ThePrint’s national photo editor, Praveen Jain, has captured the mood in the state amid election fever.

Notable developments include former CM Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti making her political debut as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Bijbehara; Waheed Ur Rehman Para, president of the PDP’s youth wing, being fielded from Pulwama; Aijaz Ahmed Guru, brother of Afzal Guru who was executed for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack, contesting as an Independent from Sopore in Baramulla; and Sheikh Khursheed, brother of Baramulla MP and chief of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) Engineer Rashid, filing his nomination from Rashid’s hometown Langate in north Kashmir.

This election is also set to witness the return of banned Islamist outfit Jamaat-e-Islami, which is backing former member Sayar Ahmad Reshi as an Independent from Kulgam, and former PDP MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir as an Independent from Zainapora in Shopian district.

The campaigning witnessed a fair number of supporters gathering to meet the candidates, who were seen interacting with people, sharing food and obliging requests for pictures.

Following a Supreme Court ruling in December, which mandated that Jammu and Kashmir conduct elections to choose its representatives, polls are slated to be held in three phases, starting Wednesday. Approximately 90 lakh Kashmiris have registered to cast their ballots.

The second and third phases of the polls will be held on 25 September and 1 October, respectively, with results scheduled to be announced on 8 October.