Voting for the second phase of Jammu & Kashmir's assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Wednesday, with a voter turnout of 56 per cent recorded, according to the J-K Chief Election Officer (CEO). The voting began at 7 am amid tight security and proceeded peacefully across the six districts involved.
The total turnout recorded was 56.05 per cent across 26 seats. The polling process was peaceful and smooth, with only minor incidents reported, according to J&K Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole, news agency PTI reported.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat in the Jammu region recorded the highest voting percentage at 75.29, followed by Poonch-Haveli with 72.71 per cent, Gulabgarh (ST) at 72.19 per cent, and Surankote at 72.18 per cent, as per the Election Commission of India (ECI) data. In the Kashmir Valley, the maximum turnout was in Khansahib at 67.70 per cent, followed by Kangan (ST) at 67.60 per cent and Chrar-i-Sharief at 66 per cent. However, Habbakadal saw the lowest turnout, with only 15.80 per cent recorded till 5 pm.
Following is the Seat-wise turnout till 5 pm:
| S No | District | District Wise Turnout | Constituency | Constituency Wise Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Budgam | 58.97% | Beerwah-28 | 62.50% |
| 2 | Budgam | Budgam-27 | 47.18% | |
| 3 | Budgam | Chadoora-31 | 54.16% | |
| 4 | Budgam | Chara-i-Sharief-30 | 66% | |
| 5 | Budgam | Khansahib-29 | 67.70% | |
| 6 | Ganderbal | 58.81% | Ganderbal- 18 | 53.44% |
| 7 | Ganderbal | Kangan(st)- 17 | 67.60% | |
| 8 | Poonch | 71.59% | Mendhar(st)- 90 | 69.67% |
| 9 | Poonch | Poonch Haveli-89 | 72.71% | |
| 10 | Poonch | Surankote(st) -53 | 72.18% | |
| 11 | Rajouri | 70.95% | Budhal(st)-86 | 70.14% |
| 12 | Rajouri | Kalakote-Sunderbani- 83 | 68.71% | |
| 13 | Rajouri | Nowshera- 84 | 72% | |
| 14 | Rajouri | Rajouri(st)-85 | 70.56% | |
| 15 | Rajouri | Thannamandi- 87 | 72.92% | |
| 16 | Reasi | 71.81% | Gulabgarh-56 | 72.19% |
| 17 | Reasi | Reasi-32 | 69.09% | |
| 18 | Reasi | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi- 58 | 75.29% | |
| 19 | Srinagar | 27.62% | Central Sheltang-26 | 29.09% |
| 20 | Srinagar | Channapora- 23 | 26.95% | |
| 21 | Srinagar | Eidgah-25 | 34.65% | |
| 22 | Srinagar | Habbakadal-21 | 15.80% | |
| 23 | Srinagar | Hazratbal -19 | 32.34% | |
| 24 | Srinagar | Khanyar-20 | 24% | |
| 25 | Srinagar | Lal Chowk -22 | 30.44% | |
| 26 | Srinagar | Zadibal-24 | 28.36% |
Jammu-Kashmir Election Phase 2: Key Candidates In Fray, Security Arrangements
The first phase of the elections took place on 18th September, while the third and final phase is scheduled for 1st October. A total of 239 candidates are contesting in this phase, including Omar Abdullah, a former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state, who is running from both Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies. Key candidates also include Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hamid Karra, who is contesting from Central Shalteng, and BJP's Jammu and Kashmir chief Ravinder Raina, seeking to retain his Nowshera seat.
Voters across the region were seen enthusiastically participating, with men, women, the elderly, and even first-time voters displaying their inked fingers proudly after casting their ballots. The elections were held without any significant threats or calls for boycotts, a marked shift from previous years.
A multi-tier security system was deployed across the 3,502 polling stations, which included 1,056 urban and 2,446 rural stations, to ensure a peaceful voting atmosphere. Security personnel from the local police, armed police, and central armed paramilitary forces were stationed at polling centres to maintain order.
Jammu-Kashmir Election Phase 2: 16 Foreign Delegates Observe Voting
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) invited 16 foreign delegates from New Delhi-based missions to observe the elections. The delegation visited polling stations in Budgam and Srinagar and was briefed by local deputy commissioners. The foreign diplomats expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the polls, with some likening the process to those in their home countries.
Speaking to PTI, US Deputy Chief of Mission Jorgan K Andrews praised the democratic process in Kashmir, saying, "It is great to see the enthusiasm; it's great to see Kashmiris out voting after a pause of 10 years. We are very excited to see the results. It looks very healthy and democratic." He added that the voting process was "very comparable" to the system in the United States, where schools are also used as polling stations.
"It's amazing, we have never seen a floating polling station before and this is incredible," Jorgan K Andrews said on his visit to a polling station on Dal Lake in Srinagar.
South Korean diplomat Sang Woo Lim was particularly impressed with the Election Commission's initiative of setting up Pink polling stations, staffed entirely by women. "It is a great way to attract more people to come to vote," Lim told PTI. This is his first visit to Kashmir, and he praised the warmth of the people and the beauty of the region.
Singapore’s Deputy Head of Mission Cheng Wei Wei Alice also commended the process, noting the similarities with elections in Singapore, where government buildings are used for polling. She expressed gratitude to the MEA for facilitating the delegation’s visit to observe the elections.
However, the visit by the foreign delegation drew criticism from the National Conference (NC). Omar Abdullah, vice president of the NC, questioned the need for foreign observers, stating, "I don’t know why foreigners should be asked to check elections here. 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." He also questioned why foreign journalists were not granted permission to cover the elections, while diplomats were given what he described as "a guided tour like tourists."
The second phase of voting covered 26 assembly seats spread across six districts in Jammu and Kashmir. In Srinagar district, polls were held in Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng, and Eidgah. In Budgam district, the constituencies were Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-i-Sharief, and Chadoora. Ganderbal district had two constituencies: Kangan (ST) and Ganderbal. In the Jammu division, voting took place in Gulabgarh (ST), Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (in Reasi district), Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri (ST) (in Rajouri district), Budhal (ST), Thannamandi (ST), Surankote (ST), Poonch Haveli, and Mendhar (ST) (Poonch district).