Congress announces first list of 9 candidates for three-phase elections

They also said there would be a “friendly competition” for five seats from the Union Territory.

Hours after the announcement, the Congress released a list of nine candidates for the elections, fielding Mir from Dooru and Wani from Banihal.

The party also fielded Surinder Singh Channi from Tral seat, Amanullah Mantoo from Devsar, Peerzada Mohammad Syed from Anantnag, Shaikh Zafarullah from Inderwal, Nadeem Sharief from Bhadarwah, Sheikh Riyaz from Doda and Pradeep Kumar Bhagat from Doda West.

The first phase of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held on September 18, the second on September 25 and the third on October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 4.