Peaceful Polling Marks 56% Turnout in J&K’s Second Election Phase; Highest Voting in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi

Srinagar : The second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election began at 7 a.m. and concluded peacefully at 6 p.m., as confirmed by J&K Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole during a press conference in Srinagar. According to Mr. Pole, the voter turnout for this phase was recorded at a tentative 56%, with polling still ongoing in certain places like Hazratbal and Reasi. He added that the overall voting process was peaceful, with only minor incidents like arguments, and no need for re-polling in any constituency.

In the Jammu region, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat registered the highest voter turnout at 75.29%, followed by Poonch-Haveli at 72.71%. In the Kashmir valley, the Khansahib constituency recorded the highest turnout at 67.70%, with Kangan (ST) close behind at 67.60%, and Chrar-i-Sharief at 66%.

Key candidates in this phase included former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, and BJP J&K chief Ravinder Raina. Meanwhile, a delegation of diplomats from 16 countries, including the US, Norway, and Singapore, arrived to observe the election process.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election involves over 2.5 million voters and will determine the fate of 239 candidates vying for 26 seats across the districts of Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam in the Kashmir region, and Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch in the Jammu region. The election is being held in three phases, with voting for the first phase on September 18 registering a 61.13% turnout. The third phase, covering 40 seats, will take place on October 1, with the final vote count on October 8.