56.79 pc polling in second phase of J-K elections, CEC says voters embraced democratic process over boycott, violence

New Delhi [India], September 26 (ANI): The second phase of polling in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir concluded peacefully with 56.79 percent voter turnout across 26 assembly constituencies.
The polling for the second phase started at 7 am on Wednesday and concluded at 6 pm.
"The poll was peaceful overall. As per the figures, 56.79 voter turnout was recorded till now," Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole told reporters on Wednesday evening.
Among the districts, Reasi witnessed the highest poll percentage of 74.14, followed by Poonch 73.78 pc, Rajouri 69. 85 pc, Ganderbal 62. 63 pc, Budgam 61.31 pc and Srinagar 29. 24 pc.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among the key candidates fighting from the two constituencies - Budgam and Ganderbal. The other contenders included Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra.
Polling was conducted across six districts of Budgam, Ganderbal, Poonch and Jammu regions of Rajouri, Reasi and Srinagar, with 25.78 lakh electors eligible to cast votes to decide fate of 239 candidates in the second phase. The first phase of assembly polls was held on September 18.
CEC Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri 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.
Some of the seats that went to the polls had in the past seen threats of poll boycott from separatist elements.
The poll panel said in a release that overall voter turnout recorded in these six districts that went for polls in Phase 2 has also surpassed the turnout recorded in Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
"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," the release added.
Home-voting facility, introduced for the first time in Assembly elections in J-K saw democracy being taken to the doorsteps of those who are bound by physical limitations, it added.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha said in a post on X that record voter turnout is shining example of vibrant and progressive democracy.
"I also appreciate the remarkable contribution of the election officials, JKP, security forces for smooth, free, fair and peaceful polling in 26 Assembly Constituencies in Phase-2."
A delegation of diplomats from different countries also witnessed the elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Polling for the third and final phase will be held on October 1. The counting of votes is scheduled on October 8.
The elections in the Union Territory are being held nearly after a gap of ten years and are the first one since the abrogation of Article 370. (ANI)