J&K Gears Up for Second Phase of Assembly Elections with 3,502 Polling Stations and Tight Security

Srinagar, Sep 24: Jammu and Kashmir is all set for the second phase of the 2024 General Assembly elections, scheduled for tomorrow. Polling staff have been deployed at 3,502 stations across 26 constituencies, with security forces ensuring a smooth and safe voting process.

This phase, which includes both urban and rural constituencies, is expected to be hotly contested. Of the total polling stations, 1,056 are in urban areas, while 2,446 serve the rural population, reflecting the broad reach of this election phase.

To guarantee the security of voters, a multi-layered safety protocol has been implemented, involving Jammu & Kashmir Police, armed police, and central paramilitary forces. Sensitive areas have been identified, and additional forces have been positioned to prevent any disturbances.

“The safety of voters is our top priority,” stated Vijay Kumar, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir. “We’ve made elaborate arrangements to ensure voters can come out in large numbers without fear. We’re determined to make this election as smooth and secure as possible.”

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also introduced several transparency measures, including 24/7 digital surveillance of strong rooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be stored. All polling stations are equipped with webcasting, enabling election officials to monitor voting in real-time and swiftly address any issues.

A senior election official emphasized the ECI’s commitment to free and fair elections: “The introduction of webcasting ensures transparency, allowing any concerns to be dealt with immediately.”

The second phase of elections follows the first, held on September 18, which saw significant voter turnout across 24 constituencies. Tomorrow’s voting will cover 26 seats, while the final phase, including 40 constituencies, will take place on October 1. Results for all three phases will be declared on October 8.

In rural and mountainous areas of Jammu, polling teams have been successfully deployed despite challenging terrain, ensuring readiness before the polls begin.

Political analysts highlight the importance of this phase for key parties like the National Conference (NC), Congress, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which are strong in the Kashmir Valley, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to consolidate its hold in Jammu.

As voting day approaches, security forces remain vigilant, and the election machinery is fully prepared to welcome voters across the region.