Election fever is on across India as the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections started on Friday (Apr 19). The elections will be held in seven phases- April 19, April 26, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

Election fever is on across India as the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections started on Friday (Apr 19). The elections will be held in seven phases- April 19, April 26, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes will be done on June 4. The Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir will be voting in five phases this time- April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. In the first phase, voting is being held in the Udhampur constituency on Friday (Apr 19). Notifications for Udhampur constituency Udhampur is a crucial constituency in the valley. The notification for the constituency was issued on March 20 while March 27 was the last date for filing nominations. The last date for withdrawal of candidature was March 30. When will Udhampur vote? Voting in Udhampur will be held on April 19- which is the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will be done on June 4. A few details about Udhampur It is the second-largest Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. Udhampur comprises 17 assembly seats. Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dr Jitendra Singh is the current Lok Sabha MP from Udhampur. The Udhampur segment is traditionally considered a Rajput constituency. This is the first time that the constituency will be voting following the abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi government. What happened in previous Lok Sabha polls? In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Dr Jitendra Singh won the elections with over 724,000 votes while Vikramaditya Singh of the congress secured second position with 367,000 votes. The third spot was bagged by Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leader Harsh Dev Singh. In the 2014 elections, Dr Singh had emerged victorious by a margin of 487,000 votes while the then Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad secured 426,000 votes.

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Jammu and Kashmir votes in Phase 1. A look at the phase's key seat Udhampur

Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur is voting in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in India. Udhampur began vote on Friday (Apr 19- the first phase), and the counting of votes in the constituency will be done on June 4.

Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur is voting in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in India. Udhampur began vote on Friday (Apr 19- the first phase), and the counting of votes in the constituency will be done on June 4. This is the first time Udhampur is witnessing elections since the abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi government. The Udhampur seat holds immense significance in Kashmir and is the second-largest Lok Sabha constituency in the Valley. The notification for the constituency was issued on March 20 while March 27 was the last date for filing nominations. The last date for withdrawal of candidature was March 30. Key candidates in Udhampur for 2024 polls In this year's election, the constituency will witness a direct fight between Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dr Jitendra Singh and Congress leader Choudhary Lal Singh. Dr Singh emerged victorious in Udhampur in 2019 and 2014 elections as well. The other crucial candidate in Udhampur this time is the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leader Ghulam Mohammad Saroori. 'There is no other competition' Dr Singh is seeking a hat-trick win from Udhampur this year. Speaking to the Hindustan Times on Sunday (April 14), the Union minister said that his voter percentage would certainly increase. "This time, we are competing with ourselves and there is no other competition,” Singh told the publication. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Udhampur where he said that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would soon be held, and statehood would be restored. Modi said that he would get rid of the problems the Valley has been facing for decades. The prime minister also challenged other political parties, especially the Congress, to dare to restore Article 370.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur votes in phase 1. Here are the key candidates

With the first phase of the Parliamentary election commencing on April 19, in Jammu and Kashmir&nbsp;the first seat to go to polls is the Udhampur constituency. The Election Commission of India recently released&nbsp;voters'&nbsp;data and said that over 16,23,195 people registered as voters. This includes 8,45,283 males, 7,77,899 females and 13 transgender who will decide the fate of 12 candidates in the fray.&nbsp;

The Udhampur seat is currently held by Dr Jitendra Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

This parliamentary election is going to be a major fight between Dr Jitendra Singh and Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh. The sitting MP of Udhampur, Dr Jitendra Singh, has a voter base of 7.24 lakhs (724,000) which makes it a little difficult for other candidates to win over him. However, regional political parties like the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party supporting the Congress candidate will lead to a tough fight between BJP and Congress.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/puducherry-lok-sabha-elections-2024-constituency-wise-seats-candidates-list-for-general-elections-news-712293">Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Puducherry to vote in Phase 1. Here are the key candidates</a>

Five districts, which include Kathua, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, and Kishtwar, are&nbsp;part of the Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency. Over 2,637 polling stations have been set up across the whole constituency. The majority of polling stations have been set up in rural areas, while 180 polling stations have been set up in urban areas.&nbsp;

''We have put up 654 parties in total, out of which 11 departed yesterday, while 642 parties will&nbsp;depart&nbsp;today. We have completed all our preparations and parties that are to be sent to the far-flung areas have already been sent. All the security measures are in place, and we are hopeful, the voter turnout will be good this time. There is a prediction of rain, but we request the people to come out and cast their votes. We have also established 16 model polling stations where special arrangements will be made for the voters, '' said Saloni Rai, DC Udhampur.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-phase-1-state-wise-list-of-constituencies-voting-on-april-19-712527">Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Phase 1: State-wise list of constituencies voting on April 19</a>

The Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir covers around 20,230 square kilometres of the Union Territory (UT). Districts like Udhampur and Kathua are predominantly Hindu majority areas, while Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Bhaderwah are mostly Muslim-dominated.&nbsp;

The Election Commission of India also said that there are 23,637 Persons with Disabilities, including 14,362 males and 9,275 females. There are over 25,632 registered voters above the age of 80, which includes 12,020 male voters and 13,612 female voters.&nbsp;

With the first phase of the Parliamentary election commencing on April 19, in Jammu and Kashmir the first seat to go to polls is the Udhampur constituency. The Election Commission of India recently released voters' data and said that over 16,23,195 people registered as voters.

With the first phase of the Parliamentary election commencing on April 19, in Jammu and Kashmir the first seat to go to polls is the Udhampur constituency. The Election Commission of India recently released voters' data and said that over 16,23,195 people registered as voters. This includes 8,45,283 males, 7,77,899 females and 13 transgender who will decide the fate of 12 candidates in the fray. The Udhampur seat is currently held by Dr Jitendra Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This parliamentary election is going to be a major fight between Dr Jitendra Singh and Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh. The sitting MP of Udhampur, Dr Jitendra Singh, has a voter base of 7.24 lakhs (724,000) which makes it a little difficult for other candidates to win over him. However, regional political parties like the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party supporting the Congress candidate will lead to a tough fight between BJP and Congress. Also read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Puducherry to vote in Phase 1. Here are the key candidates Five districts, which include Kathua, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, and Kishtwar, are part of the Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency. Over 2,637 polling stations have been set up across the whole constituency. The majority of polling stations have been set up in rural areas, while 180 polling stations have been set up in urban areas. ''We have put up 654 parties in total, out of which 11 departed yesterday, while 642 parties will depart today. We have completed all our preparations and parties that are to be sent to the far-flung areas have already been sent. All the security measures are in place, and we are hopeful, the voter turnout will be good this time. There is a prediction of rain, but we request the people to come out and cast their votes. We have also established 16 model polling stations where special arrangements will be made for the voters, '' said Saloni Rai, DC Udhampur. Also read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Phase 1: State-wise list of constituencies voting on April 19 The Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir covers around 20,230 square kilometres of the Union Territory (UT). Districts like Udhampur and Kathua are predominantly Hindu majority areas, while Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Bhaderwah are mostly Muslim-dominated. The Election Commission of India also said that there are 23,637 Persons with Disabilities, including 14,362 males and 9,275 females. There are over 25,632 registered voters above the age of 80, which includes 12,020 male voters and 13,612 female voters.

Udhampur constituency profile: Main fight between BJP’s Dr Jitendra Singh and Congress' Lal Singh