Among the first voters in J&K’s Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency were first-timers and newlyweds

A groom wearing a sherwani and bright headgear was among the first voters to cast their ballots at a polling place in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday as the first round of the Lok Sabha election got off, accompanied by his companions dressed in traditional clothing.

Inclement weather greeted voters in the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, which encompasses the five districts of Udhampur, Kathua, Ramban, Doda, and Kishtwar, at 7 a.m.

Soon after coming home on Friday morning, Kapil Gupta, who was married on Thursday, cast his ballot at a polling place that was put up on the grounds of the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes & Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited in Udhampur town.

He urged people to cast their ballots in big numbers, saying, “Voting is our right and must be done on priority.”

Sahil and Radhika, another recentlywed couple, showed up to an election station set up at an Udhampur school dressed as bride and groom.

“My spouse and I just got married on Thursday, and I suggested that we go to the polls. The bride answered, “My vote is not here, but I went with him.”

“I will be visiting my parents later in the day in a nearby village to fulfil my democratic responsibility as well,” she said.

Voting for twelve candidates, including Union minister Jitendra Singh, who is running for reelection for a third term in a row, will conclude at six o’clock in the evening.

Choudhary Lal Singh, a Congress candidate and two-time former MP, poses a serious threat to Singh, while G M Saroori, a DPAP contender, completes a triangular field.

Election authorities indicate that voting is proceeding calmly across the constituency, despite the Kathua area reporting heavy rains since this morning.

Voters were seen swarming voting places despite the bad weather, as the showers failed to depress them.

Voting for the first time after turning eighteen, Vanshika Sharma of Bhaderwah in the Doda district remarked, “I was waiting for this moment.”

At the town’s “pink” polling place, Meenakshi cast her ballot first and was pleased with the setup.

Another voter, Mool Raj, was delighted to get a bouquet for being the first person to cast their ballot at a Bhaderwah polling place.

Ashish Kumar remarked, “I have voted for a candidate I think can work for the development of the district and the country,” after his vote in Udhampur.

Meenakshi Devi, 40, said that she is voting in favor of the nation’s advancement.