Jammu Kashmir Assembly Election Highlights: Stay tuned with ABP Live for all the latest updates as we bring you comprehensive coverage of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections for 26 constituencies – 11 in Jammu and 15 in Kashmir – have begun. With several high-profile candidates in the fray, the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election is expected to be crucial for the Union territory major political parties.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, BJP's J&K President Ravinder Raina and Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari are among the key candidates in the fray in this phase of elections. The seats that will vote today are spread across the central Kashmir districts of Budgam, Srinagar, and Ganderbal, as well as the Poonch and Rajouri districts in the Jammu region.

The Election Commission of India has established 3,502 polling stations in these segments to facilitate smooth and hassle-free electoral participation. There are 1,056 urban polling stations and 2,446 rural polling stations, an official said. All polling stations will have webcasting facilities as part of the Election Commission's efforts to ensure transparency.

As many as 93 candidates are in the fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam district, 34 in Rajouri district, 25 in Poonch district, 21 in Ganderbal district and 20 in Reasi district.

The first phase of the elections witnessed a voter turnout of 61.38 percent on September 18. The third phase will go to polls on October 1. The votes will be counted on October 8.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra has been fielded from Central Shalteng seat in Srinagar. J&K unit president Ravinder Raina, who registered victory in 2014 from the Nowshera seat, is seeking re-election from the key constituency in Rajouri district. Omar Abdullah is contesting the 2024 assembly elections from two constituencies in Central Kashmir including Budgam and Ganderbal.

Altaf Bukhari, the wealthiest candidate in the second phase with assets exceeding ₹165 crore is contesting from the Channapora seat in Srinagar.

21:00 PM (IST) • 25 Sep 2024

Jammu Kashmir Assembly Elections LIVE Updates: 56% turnout recorded, no need for re-poll anywhere, J-K CEO says

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. (PTI)

19:39 PM (IST) • 25 Sep 2024

Jammu Kashmir Assembly Elections LIVE Updates: 54% Voter Turnout Recorded Across 26 Seats

As of 7 PM, a voter turnout of 54.11% was recorded at the polling stations. Voting across 26 ACs which commenced at 7 AM today was held peacefully without any incidents of violence. The overall voter turnout recorded in these six districts that went for polls in Phase 2 have also surpassed the turnout recorded in Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Election Commission of India