Khalid Najib Suharwardy Urges Mass Participation in Historic Doda Polls

Khalid Najib Suharwardy, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference candidate, urged voters to actively participate in the Doda Assembly elections. Highlighting the importance of regaining special status for Jammu and Kashmir, he emphasized that this election is the first step in that direction. Voting is reported to be smooth with a good turnout.

Khalid Najib Suharwardy, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference candidate for the Doda Assembly Constituency, has called upon the public to participate actively in the ongoing elections, underlining the importance of reclaiming special status for the region. He stressed the necessity for the valley's residents to engage in the electoral process to retrieve Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

After casting his vote, Suharwardy told ANI, "Voting is proceeding smoothly with a positive trend. We are hopeful for a National Conference victory. I urge everyone to come out and vote; this election, happening after a decade, is crucial. We seek statehood and special status, and this is the first step towards it." Notably, Suharwardy faces opposition from Congress candidate Sheikh Riaz Ahmed and BJP candidate Gajay Singh Rana in Doda. Voting for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections began at 7 am today under stringent security arrangements, with voting concluding at 6 pm. Long queues were reported at polling stations from early morning.

The first phase covers 24 assembly constituencies across the Union Territory, with 16 seats in the Kashmir region and 8 in the Jammu region. The Election Commission of India reported an 11.11 percent voter turnout by 9 am. Kishtwar led with a 14.83 percent turnout, while Pulwama recorded 9.18 percent. Anantnag saw a 10.26 percent turnout, Doda 12.90 percent, Kulgam 10.77 percent, Ramban 11.91 percent, and Shopian 11.44 percent by the same time.

(With inputs from agencies.)