The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared public holidays on poll dates for three phases of the Assembly elections. The General Administration Department has notified three polling dates as holidays under section 135 B of the Representation of People Act 1951. The order declared the poll day as a paid holiday for every eligible voter in his/her respective assembly constituency employed in any business, trade, industrial undertakings or any other establishment. The order further reads that the daily wage and casual workers shall also be entitled to the holiday and wages on the poll day.

More than 23.27 lakh voters including 5.66 lakh youths are eligible to exercise their franchise during the first phase of Assembly elections. 24 Assembly seats spread over 7 districts will go to polls in this phase 18th of September. The notification has been issued for the Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam districts in the Kashmir Division; and the Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts in the Jammu Division. In Kashmir Division, 16 Assembly Constituencies whereas in Jammu Division, 8 Assembly Constituencies are scheduled to go for polls in the first phase.