Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has announced his candidacy from the Ganderbal constituency for the upcoming Assembly elections, marking a significant return to a traditional stronghold of the National Conference (NC). Despite previously vowing not to contest until the restoration of statehood, Abdullah reconsidered due to pressure within his party and recent electoral losses. The elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370, will be held in three phases starting September 18. In addition to NC's announcement of 32 candidates, the banned Jamaat-e-Islami will field three former members as Independent candidates in South Kashmir. The Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also released their candidate lists for the first phase.