LIVE | J&K Elections: More than 56% voter turnout recorded in second phase

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.

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.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday engaged with over 300 business owners and professionals from across Jammu and Kashmir and promised them of giving utmost importance to economic development and job creation in the Union Territory.

The second phase of polling in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a voter turnout of 54 percent till 5 pm, as per the Election Commission of India.

Voting for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir began at 7 am on Wednesday. Over 25 lakh eligible voters will seal the fate of 239 candidates across 26 constituencies in six districts of the Union Territory. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said restoration of statehood was the "right" of people of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the INDIA bloc will hit the road and use "full force" in Parliament and outside if the Centre fails to restore it after assembly polls.

A voter turnout of 46.12 percent was recorded till 3pm in the second phase of polling in six districts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Election Commission of India. reasi led the individual districts with a polling percentage of 63.91%, Poonch recorded 61.45%, Rajouri recorded 58.95 %, Budgam 49.44%, Ganderbal 61,45% and Srinagar 22.62%.

PM Modi during an election rally in Haryana took an aim at Congress and its allies stating they wanted to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. 

"The Congress and its allies do not favor peace; they are aiming to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. This move would undermine the progress and stability we have achieved in the region."

"For the first time after independence, a state was turned into a UT. This was done to Jammu & Kashmir. This is an injustice to you. Your democratic rights have been snatched away from you," said Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. 

"Today J&K, is not run by the people of J&K, it is run by the people of other states. We had thought that you would get back the statehood before elections. That would have been the correct way…But it is fine that they are conducting elections first. But we want your democratic rights, the statehood of J&K is given back to you.”

According to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), 36.93 per cent voter turnout had been recorded in the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir election till 1 pm IST.  

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah slammed the Indian government for inviting foreign diplomats to observe the ongoing Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

"I don't know why foreigners should be asked to check elections here," the NC vice president said. "When foreign governments comment, then the Government of India says 'this is an internal matter for India' and now suddenly they want foreign observers to come and look at our elections."

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said history was in the making as people voted peacefully in the elections.

"People are giving a statement, a standing ovation to the democracy by standing so peacefully in the queues, waiting for their turn. This is what is the history in making in Jammu and Kashmir," said Kumar. 

"It's for the world to see how elections can take place in a peaceful, fair and inducement-free manner. Today, there are large number of diplomats also around in the area from different countries to see for themselves as to what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir," added Kumar. 

According to WION's correspondent Idrees Lone on the ground, huge turnout has been reported in the Soibug area of Budgam district. The area is known for United Jehad Council and Hizb Chief Commander Syed Salauddin area as he belongs to this area. It used to see a lot of boycott in the past but today huge number of people coming to cast thier vote.

“All 26 assembly constituencies across six districts of J&K have recorded 24.1 per cent voter turnout till 11 am," communicated the office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.

"People are not voting here because they are very happy with the Government of India. They are exercising their franchise despite all the attempts by the government to trouble them over the last 6-7 years," said Abdullah. 

Diplomats from 16 foreign missions have arrived in Srinagar to observe the voting. The delegates are from the United States, European Union, Russia and Australia among other countries. 

"The overall poll percentage of 10.22 was recorded upto 9:00 AM in all 26 assembly constituencies across six districts of J&K," the office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K said. 

According to news wire agency PTI, the polling was off to a brisk start amid tight security arrangements across the 26 constituencies. 

To enhance voter participation, 157 special polling stations have been established in the second phase including 26 polling booths managed by women as Pink Polling Stations. 

26 polling stations manned by specially-abled persons, 26 polling stations manned by youths, 31 Border polling stations, 26 green polling stations and 22 Unique Polling stations. The voting will take place from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm IST.

Whereas in Jammu division, 11 Assembly Constituencies which include Gulabgarh, Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote- Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri, Budhal, Thannamandi, Surankote, Poonch Havel and Mendhar have gone to polls. 

In Kashmir division, 15 Assembly Constituencies are up for election, viz., Kangan, Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, 26-Central Shalteng, Budgam; Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-I-Sharief and Chadoora.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 3,502 polling stations with 100 per cent webcasting across 26 Assembly Constituencies. These include 1,056 Urban Polling stations and 2,446 Rural Polling stations.

The second phase of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will see some of the most prominent faces in fray including the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, APNI Party chief Altaf Bukhari, Congress state president Tariq Hameed Karra, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi of PDP and Ravindra Raina, state president BJP.

In the second phase of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, over 25.78 lakh voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates in fray for 26 assembly constituencies. The second phase of the Legislative Assembly will cover 26 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) across six districts of J&K, including Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam in Kashmir Division, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu Division.