Polling remained peaceful, says CEO
Kashmir, Sep 25: The second phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir recorded a voter turnout of 56.05% on Wednesday.
This phase covered 26 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) across six districts in Jammu and Kashmir, including Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam in the Kashmir division, as well as Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch in the Jammu division.
In the Kashmir division, 15 constituencies across the three districts of Central Kashmir—Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam—went to the polls.
The overall voter turnout was around 56.05%.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat in the Jammu region recorded the highest overall voting percentage at 77%, followed closely by Poonch-Haveli (74%), Gulabgarh (ST) at 73.19%, and Surankote at 73.18%.
Among the 15 assembly segments in the Kashmir Valley, Khansahib recorded the highest voting percentage at 67.7%, followed by Kangan (ST) at 67.6%.
According to officials, the polling was largely peaceful, with only minor incidents such as small altercations reported. P.K. Pole, Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer, provided updates to the media in Srinagar, stating that the turnout figure was provisional, as voting was still ongoing in areas like Hazratbal and Reasi.
“The polling was overall peaceful. Some minor arguments occurred, but there is no need for a re-poll anywhere,” said Pole, assuring that the process had gone smoothly in most constituencies.
A notable feature of this phase was the visit of a 16-member delegation of foreign envoys who observed the voting process for the first time since the insurgency began in the late 1980s.
Their visit marked a historic moment, underscoring international interest in the region’s electoral process, especially following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which had previously granted Jammu and Kashmir special status.
The presence of international observers is viewed by the Indian government as a way to demonstrate transparency and counter allegations of unrest or dissatisfaction in the region.
However, not everyone welcomed the move. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah criticized the decision, calling it unnecessary. “The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are an internal matter of the country,” Abdullah said, arguing that foreign involvement was not warranted.
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