Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir:

As the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections begins today, a groom in traditional attire and colorful headdress, accompanied by his friends in traditional attire, became the first to vote at Udhampur polling station in Jammu and Kashmir One of the grooms who voted.

Polling started at 7 am and the bad weather in Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency affected constituencies in five districts of Udhampur, Kathua, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar.

Kapil Gupta got married on Thursday and soon after returning home on Friday morning, he exercised his right to vote at a polling booth set up in Udhampur town of Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited.

“Voting is our right and must be done as a priority,” he said, asking voters to turn out in large numbers.

Another newlywed couple, Sahil and Radhika, appeared at a polling station set up at a school in Udhampur wearing wedding attire.

“We just got married yesterday (Thursday) and I told my husband we should vote. My vote is not here, but I’m with him,” the bride said.

She added: “I will travel to a nearby village to visit my parents later in the day to fulfill my democratic responsibilities.”

Voting is scheduled to end at 6 pm and will decide the fate of 12 candidates, including Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is seeking re-election for a third consecutive term.

Singh faces a major challenge from Congress candidate and two-time former MP Chaudhry Lal Singh, while the emergence of DAP candidate general manager Saroli has turned the contest into a triangular contest.

According to electoral officials, voting is proceeding peacefully across the constituency, with reports of heavy rainfall in Kathua district since this morning.

The rain did little to dampen enthusiasm as voters braved the inclement weather to head to the polls.

Vanshika Sharma, a resident of Badwa in Doda district, said: “This is the first time I am voting after turning 18. I have been waiting for this moment.”

Meenakshi was the first to cast his vote at the town’s “pink” polling station and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.

Another voter, Mool Raj, was happy to receive a bouquet for being the first to cast his vote at the Badwa polling station.

“I voted for a candidate who I believe will bring development to the region and the country,” Ashish Kumar said after casting his vote in Udhampur.

Meenakshi Devi (40) said her vote was for the development of the country.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)