The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday released a list of 16 candidates for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.

The candidates of the NCP (Ajit Pawar) included Mohamad Altaf from Ganderbal, Shadib Haneef Khan from Hazratbal, Nisar Ahmad from Khanyar and Zahid Basher Kashoo from Habbakandal.

The party, which is preparing for a debut in the Union Territory, has also pitched Sameer Ahmad Batt from Lal Chowk, Hazi Parvez from Chanapora, Riyaz Ahmad from Zadibal, Kaiser Ahamad Batt from Eidgah, Noor Mohamad Shekh from Central Shalteng and Sanjay Kaul from Budgam.

The party has named Nazir Ahamad Khan from Beerwah, Shahnaz Hussain Shah from Khan Shahib, Abdul Salam Rather from Chrar-I-Sharief, Tariq Ahamad Bhat from Chadoodra, Tarachand from Reasi and Ashok Kumar from Mata Vaishnodevi.

Jammu and Kashmir is going to polls for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases — September 18, September 25 and October 1. The counting of votes will be held on October 4.