Srinagar

Former Minister and MLA Sakina Itoo of the National Conference (NC) submitted her nomination papers for the first phase of the J&K Assembly elections on Friday. Accompanied by NC vice president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Itoo is running as the NC candidate for the Damhal Hanjipora Assembly seat in Kulgam district. Previously known as Noorabad before the recent delimitation, this constituency has 99,037 voters. The election here is set for September 18.

In the 2014 polls, Itoo lost to Abdul Majeed Paddar of the PDP, who is now running as the J&K Apni Party candidate. Other contenders include Mohammad Arif Dar of the Awami Itihad Party and Gulzar Ahmad Dar of the PDP.