Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party candidate Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari contesting from Channapora constituency is the wealthiest candidate in the second phase of elections, with assets exceeding Rs 165 crore. Following him is Congress candidate Tariq Hameed Karra, who is running from Central Shalteng and has declared assets worth over Rs 148 crore, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Third on the list is Mushtaq Guroo from the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, also contesting from Channapora, with assets over Rs 94 crore.
The Jammu and Kashmir elections are being conducted in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1, 2024, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8.
The Jammu & Kashmir Election Watch and ADR have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 238 of the 239 candidates contesting in Phase II. The only candidate not analysed is Independent Sarjan Ahmad Wagay from the Beerwah constituency, due to incomplete affidavit information.
The candidate with the lowest declared assets is Independent Mohd Akram, contesting from the ST-reserved Surankote constituency, with assets worth just Rs 500. BJP candidate Ravinder Raina, running from Nowshera, has declared assets of Rs 1,000.
Of the candidates, 117 (49%) reported educational qualifications between 5th and 12th grade, while 114 (48%) have graduate degrees or higher. Six candidates hold diplomas, and one has declared themselves illiterate.
Age-wise, 84 candidates (35%) are between 25 and 40 years old, 105 (44%) are between 41 and 60, and 49 (21%) are aged between 61 and 80. Notably, six (3%) female candidates are contesting in this phase of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections.