Srinagar, Oct. 23 -- The first Rajya Sabha elections since Jammu and Kashmir's downgrade to a Union Territory are set to take place on Friday, with the outcome of the fourth seat emerging as the key contest between the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Voting will be held from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at three polling booths set up in the Legislative Assembly complex, followed by counting at 5:00 PM.

While the NC appears poised to win three of the four seats, the fourth remains too close to call. The NC's advantage, however, has strengthened with support from the Congress, CPI(M), PDP, and several independents.

According to the present political arithmetic, NC candidates have the backing of 57 MLAs - including 41...