Jammu and Kashmir Conducts Green Elections Amidst Rising Temperatures

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole announces green elections initiative involving planting 10-12 plants at every polling station to combat global warming. Home voting facilities for elderly and disabled citizens continue as elections are scheduled in three phases in September and October.

Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole announced on Friday that the upcoming assembly elections will feature a green initiative, with 10-12 plants being planted at each polling station. This step aims to address rising temperatures and global warming concerns.

Security measures have been implemented, and the elections are set to take place in September and October. 'We are conducting green elections. The environment is a global concern, and temperatures are increasing. Global warming is a reality,' Pole told ANI. Additionally, home voting facilities for elderly and disabled citizens, introduced during the last Lok Sabha elections, will continue.

Pole also highlighted the establishment of voter facilitation centres to ensure polling staff can cast their votes. The assembly elections will be conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.

This will be the first assembly poll since the abrogation of Article 370. Jammu and Kashmir has 90 Assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for SCs and 9 for STs. According to the Election Commission of India, there are 88.06 lakh eligible voters in the Union Territory. In the previous elections, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats, BJP secured 25, NC grabbed 15, and the Congress took 12 seats, ANI reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)