J&K Votes For 1st Assembly Election In 10 Years: In Pics

J&K votes on Wednesday in the first phase of its three-phase assembly election. Over 23 lakh voters decide the fate of 219 candidates today.

The polling stations welcomed voters during Jammu and Kashmir's first of the three-phase Assembly elections on Wednesday. Over 23 lakh voters will decide the fate of 219 candidates.

A voter shows her inked finger at a polling booth in Shopian during the first phase of the J&K assembly election, which is being held after 10 years. People across 24 of J&K's 90 assembly constituencies vote on Wednesday. (Photo: @ECISVEEP)

Early morning voters queue up to vote at a polling booth in Devsar, Kulgam. Constituencies voting on Wednesday include those in Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian districts, apart from others. (Photo:@ceo_UTJK)

Voters at a polling booth in Dooru, Anantnag, early in the morning. The voting is underway with extensive security arrangements. (Photo: @ECISVEEP)

A voter dressed in pink is welcomed with a pink ‘pagadi’ at a pink polling station. (Photo:@ceo_UTJK)

Pink booths are polling stations completely managed by women. The staff here was seen wearing pink ‘pagadis’. These booths are meant to encourage women voters to come out and cast their vote. (Photo:@ceo_UTJK)

In the morning hours, the majority of the voters were men. Women are expected to come out later in the day to cast their vote for the first phase of the assembly election. (Photo: @ECISVEEP)

A young voter shows off her inked finger after casting her vote at a polling station in Jammu & Kashmir. (Photo:@ceo_UTJK)

A group of people with inked fingers pose for a photograph at a polling station in Kishtwar. The voting process that began at 7 am will conclude at 6 pm. (Photo:@ceo_UTJK)

An elderly man poses at a polling booth's photo corner. Polling for the second and third phases of the assembly elections will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. (Photo: @DCAnantnag)