The first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019 saw phase one conclude peacefully with a voter turnout of 50.65% by 3 pm. Political leaders called for high voter participation, emphasizing future stability,

As the first phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir begins on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged voters to come out in huge numbers to strengthen the festival of democracy.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir will use their franchise after 10 years, the last assembly elections being held in 2014. The elections that will unfold on Wednesday will be important in the sense that it will be held first time after the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent ruthless lockdown.

Eight constituencies in the Jammu region and 16 from the Kashmir Valley voted on the first phase of assembly elections. Two more rounds of voting remain.

Chand (61), who won the Chhamb seat in 2002 and 2008 but lost to the BJP in 2014, has served as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party, a deputy chief minister, and a speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

From Omar Abdullah and Ravinder Raina to Altaf Bukhari and Tariq Hamid Karra, here's a look at the key candidates in the second phase of the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.