The Election Commission on Tuesday issued the notification for the first of the five-phased Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls.
In the first phase of polling on November 25, voting will be held in 15 Assembly segments spread across seven districts of Bandipora, Ganderbal in Kashmir Valley, Kargil, Leh of Ladakh region, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban of Jammu region. The last date for candidates to file their nominations is November 5.
The scrutiny of nomination papers would be held on November 7 while the last date for withdrawal of nomination is on November 10.
Of these 15 Assembly seats going to polls in the first phase, Congress and National Conference had bagged seven seats each while PDP had won one seat in 2008 Assembly polls.
Meanwhile, the State Government has sought 565 companies of security personnel to ensure smooth elections. With the issuance of election notification today, political parties have launched a campaign to woo voters in favour of their candidates.
The date of counting of votes has been fixed for December 23 this year. The current six-year term of the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly ends on January 19.