Srinagar- More than 56 per cent voters on Wednesday exercised their franchise in the second phase of polling for 26 seats in Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.
The polling passed off peacefully, officials said.
Addressing a press conference here, J&K Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said the second phase recorded a turnout of 56.05 per cent.
Pole said the percentage was tentative as polling was going on at some places like Hazratbal and Reasi.
He said the polling was peaceful and by and large smooth.
“The polling was overall peaceful. Some stray incidents like arguments, etc took place, but there is no need for re-poll anywhere,” he added.
He said for the second phase, 3502 polling booths were set up and almost 15000 polling officials including observers and other staff were deployed in six districts of the UT.
As far the Assembly constituency wise figures, in Kashmir, Central-Shalteng recorded 29.09 percent voting, Chanapora 26.95, Eidgah 34.65, Habba Kadal 18.80, Hazratbal 30.66, Khanyar 24.00, Lal Chowk 30.44 and Zadibal 28.36 per cent. “Beerwah registered 62.50 per cent voting, Budgam 47. 18, Chadoora 54.16, Charar-e-Shareef 66 per cent and Khansahib 67.70,” the CEO said. “Ganderbal recorded 53.44 percent voting and Kangan (ST) 67.60 per cent.”
In the Jammu region, the CEO said Gulabgarh (ST) recorded 72. 19 per cent voting, Reasi 69.09, Mata Vaishno Devi 80, Mendhar 69. 67, Poonch Haveli 72.71, Surankote 72.18, Budhal 66. 95 per cent, Kalakote-Sunderbani 66.37, Nowshera 69 per cnet, Rajouri (ST) 70.56 per cent, Thanamandi 68. 44 per cent
The CEO said that phase two Assembly polls have surpassed the turnout recorded in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year. About the foreign delegations visit to Kashmir, the CEO said that diplomats visited four to five polling stations and expressed satisfaction with the poll process. “Our officers explained to them the preparations made and the process of how elections are being conducted,” he said.
During the second phase, a 16-member delegation of foreign envoys visited the valley to witness the polls.
This is perhaps for the first time since the eruption of insurgency that international observers were allowed to witness the elections in J&K.
However, the move drew criticism from former chief minister Omar Abdullah who said the polls in J&K were an internal matter of the country.
History In Making: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday expressed immense satisfaction with the voter turnout in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, calling it a historic moment for the J&K.
Addressing the press at Delhi, Kumar said that the enthusiasm with which voters were participating across the valley and Jammu marks a strong statement of support for democracy.
“We are very happy that voting is taking place across the entire valley and Jammu with extreme fervor and enthusiasm,” Kumar said. The sight of long lines of voters in different parts of the region, including Srinagar, is a powerful visual of democratic participation.
Kumar said that the significance of the turnout in areas where calls for boycott had previously been common. “Even in areas where there used to be calls for disruption, there are people around in long queues since morning,” he said.
He described how voters, standing peacefully in queues under the trees of Chenar and in high mountain regions, are making a strong statement in favor of democracy. “People are giving a standing ovation to democracy by standing so peacefully in the queues, waiting for their turn,” Kumar added.
The CEC praised the peaceful conduct of the elections, saying that the voters’ participation is a testament to the resilience and strength of democratic values in Jammu and Kashmir. “This is what is happening today — a peaceful, enthusiastic exercise of voting in a place once marked by challenges,” he said.
Speaking on the symbolic importance of this election, Kumar said that it represented a significant shift in the political landscape of J&K. “This is history in the making,” he said, referring to the unexpectedly high turnout and the peaceful nature of the election process.
This participation is a powerful message of peace and democratic renewal in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
