Second phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls records over 56 per cent turnout

NEW DELHI: 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, Jammu and Kashmir, 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.

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 Jammu and Kashmir,.

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.

Election Commission of India (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissions (ECs)  Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu had maintained a constant supervision of the polling process to ensure that the polling took place in an incident free manner.

Earlier in the day, interacting with media at Nirvachan Sadan, CEC Rajiv Kumar said that these elections are “history in the making”, the echoes of which will be carried through posterity. He added that the valleys and the mountains which had once witnessed fear and boycott, are now taking part in the democratic festivities or “Jashn-e-Jamhuriyat”.

Strong security measures were in place creating a conducive environment for voters to cast their vote without fear or intimidation. Webcasting was in place in all polling stations to ensure transparency of the voting process.

While demonstrating the visuals emerging live from the Polling Stations in Jammu & Kashmir, CEC, Kumar lauded the voters seen patiently waiting for their turn to vote at the Polling Stations and said that it is a resounding statement of their belief in democracy.

In Phase-2, 26 Assembly Constituencies, spread across 6 districts saw polling across 3502 Polling Stations set up for voters in this phase. 239 Candidates were in the fray including 233 men and 6 women candidates in this phase of the elections. The six districts that went to polls in phase 2 are – Budgam, Ganderbal, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and Srinagar.

Young voters reflected the aspirations of peace, democracy and progress as first time voters proudly showcased their inked fingers after voting. A total of over 1.2 lakh electors are in the age of 18-19 for phase 2.

Accessibility is one of the key pillars of the voting experience that ECI is committed to. Shri Rakesh Kumar, Bronze medalist at the recently concluded Paris Paralympics and ECI’s National PwD icon also showed up to fulfil his civic responsibility and cast his vote at Sri Mata Vaishno Assembly Constituency earlier today. One polling station in each AC was manned by Persons with Disabilities. 26 Polling Stations were managed by women.

The Dal lake provided a scenic backdrop for the polling festivities. Voters reached their polling stations aboard the iconic Shikara to cast their vote. Voting took place in a tranquil atmosphere free of fear and intimidation. Voters inhabiting the areas near the border were also empowered to exercise their franchise at 55 Border Polling Stations set up near the LoC in 89 Poonch Haveli and 90- Mendhar AC in Poonch district and 51 such polling stations in Rajouri district. These Border Polling Stations saw voting today in line with the Commission’s resolve to bring even the remotest corners of the country into the democratic fold.

With Press Trust of India inputs