Jammu: Voting commenced on Wednesday for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, with over 2.5 million voters eligible to choose from 239 candidates across 26 constituencies. The districts involved include three from the Jammu division and three from the Kashmir Valley.
As of 3 PM, the overall voter turnout was recorded at 46.12%. Srinagar experienced the lowest turnout at 22.62%, while Reasi led with an impressive 63.91%. Among the assembly segments in the Kashmir Valley, Kangan recorded the highest voting percentage at 30.94%, followed closely by Chrar-i-Sharief at 28.85% and Khansahib at 27%.
Polling stations buzzed with enthusiasm as voters of all ages, including first-time voters and centenarians, eagerly cast their ballots. Security measures were robust, featuring a multi-tiered setup involving local police and central paramilitary forces to maintain a peaceful voting environment.
In a notable move, the Ministry of External Affairs invited 16 foreign delegates to observe the elections. This decision drew criticism from the National Conference (NC), with vice president Omar Abdullah questioning the need for foreign observers in what he deemed an internal matter. He highlighted the inconsistency of inviting foreign diplomats while denying access to foreign journalists, urging the government to clarify its stance on international involvement.
This phase of polling will significantly impact prominent candidates, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, and BJP J-K chief Ravinder Raina. Voting concluded at 6 PM, with a total of 3,502 polling stations established to facilitate the process.
