JAMMU/SRINAGAR: The second phase of the three-part J&K assembly elections saw a 56% voter turnout across 26 constituencies Wednesday, covering six districts — Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam in central Kashmir and Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi in Jammu division .
The voting process proceeded peacefully amid tight security, J&K’s chief electoral officer PK Pole said. “As many as 20 assembly segments registered lower voter turnout than 2014,” he said.
The final turnout figure could increase as more data from 3,502 polling stations across 15 constituencies in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu is counted. Voting took place from 7am to 6pm.
In the first phase on Sept 18, voter turnout was recorded at 61%, covering 24 of the total 90 assembly seats. The elections will wrap up on Oct 1, with votes counted on Oct 8.
More votes were polled in Jammu division compared to Kashmir. Long queues were seen at polling stations in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts of Jammu, where security forces were deployed extensively due to increased terrorist activity in recent months.
Reasi and Poonch recorded a voter turnout of nearly 72%, while Rajouri saw about 68% turnout, according to EC. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency in Reasi, created in 2022 during the delimitation exercise, recorded the highest turnout at 75%, followed by Poonch Haveli at 73%.
“Voter enthusiasm was high even at polling stations near the LoC in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch,” an official said.
In Upper Dhangri, a mountainside village 10km south of the district headquarters in Rajouri, residents voted with determination despite the lingering memory of a New Year’s Day terrorist attack in 2023 that killed six people, including two children. “People now hope that with their own elected legislator, their concerns will reach the corridors of govt and solutions will be provided,” said a voter.
Similarly, residents of Topi Peer village in Poonch’s Surankote constituency also turned out in large numbers. The village had made headlines in 2023 after three of its residents were killed during questioning following a terrorist ambush that left four soldiers dead on Dec 21.
Akbar Khan, 83, cast his vote in the border constituency of Mendhar in Poonch, accompanied by his family. Before voting, Khan said: “Young people should vote and choose a good candidate. The govt should work sincerely for the public.”
In contrast, the turnout in Kashmir was notably lower. Budgam and Ganderbal districts recorded a turnout of nearly 59%, while Srinagar saw just over 27%. Voter disillusionment over issues such as unemployment and economic challenges likely contributed to the low turnout in Srinagar, which encompasses eight constituencies: Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habba Kadal, Lal Chowk, Chanapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng, and Eidgah.
“I have completed my education, but where are the jobs? Our youths are struggling, and no one seems to have a clear plan,” said Zubair, a postgraduate from Srinagar’s Nowhatta area. First-time voter Falak Momim expressed her disillusionment by choosing the NOTA option. “All these politicians are liars,” she said.
A total of 239 candidates are contesting in the second phase, including several prominent political figures. National Conference (NC) vice president and former CM Omar Abdullah is contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal. In Ganderbal, Abdullah faces a challenge from separatist cleric Sarjan Ahmad Barkati, who is also contesting from Beerwah. The Ganderbal constituency recorded a 57% turnout.
In Jammu, BJP ’s J&K chief Ravinder Raina is seeking re-election from Nowshera in Rajouri, a seat he won in 2014. J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra is running in Srinagar’s Central Shalteng constituency.
The voting process proceeded peacefully amid tight security, J&K’s chief electoral officer PK Pole said. “As many as 20 assembly segments registered lower voter turnout than 2014,” he said.
The final turnout figure could increase as more data from 3,502 polling stations across 15 constituencies in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu is counted. Voting took place from 7am to 6pm.
In the first phase on Sept 18, voter turnout was recorded at 61%, covering 24 of the total 90 assembly seats. The elections will wrap up on Oct 1, with votes counted on Oct 8.
More votes were polled in Jammu division compared to Kashmir. Long queues were seen at polling stations in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts of Jammu, where security forces were deployed extensively due to increased terrorist activity in recent months.
Reasi and Poonch recorded a voter turnout of nearly 72%, while Rajouri saw about 68% turnout, according to EC. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency in Reasi, created in 2022 during the delimitation exercise, recorded the highest turnout at 75%, followed by Poonch Haveli at 73%.
“Voter enthusiasm was high even at polling stations near the LoC in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch,” an official said.
In Upper Dhangri, a mountainside village 10km south of the district headquarters in Rajouri, residents voted with determination despite the lingering memory of a New Year’s Day terrorist attack in 2023 that killed six people, including two children. “People now hope that with their own elected legislator, their concerns will reach the corridors of govt and solutions will be provided,” said a voter.
Similarly, residents of Topi Peer village in Poonch’s Surankote constituency also turned out in large numbers. The village had made headlines in 2023 after three of its residents were killed during questioning following a terrorist ambush that left four soldiers dead on Dec 21.
Akbar Khan, 83, cast his vote in the border constituency of Mendhar in Poonch, accompanied by his family. Before voting, Khan said: “Young people should vote and choose a good candidate. The govt should work sincerely for the public.”
In contrast, the turnout in Kashmir was notably lower. Budgam and Ganderbal districts recorded a turnout of nearly 59%, while Srinagar saw just over 27%. Voter disillusionment over issues such as unemployment and economic challenges likely contributed to the low turnout in Srinagar, which encompasses eight constituencies: Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habba Kadal, Lal Chowk, Chanapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng, and Eidgah.
“I have completed my education, but where are the jobs? Our youths are struggling, and no one seems to have a clear plan,” said Zubair, a postgraduate from Srinagar’s Nowhatta area. First-time voter Falak Momim expressed her disillusionment by choosing the NOTA option. “All these politicians are liars,” she said.
A total of 239 candidates are contesting in the second phase, including several prominent political figures. National Conference (NC) vice president and former CM Omar Abdullah is contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal. In Ganderbal, Abdullah faces a challenge from separatist cleric Sarjan Ahmad Barkati, who is also contesting from Beerwah. The Ganderbal constituency recorded a 57% turnout.
In Jammu, BJP ’s J&K chief Ravinder Raina is seeking re-election from Nowshera in Rajouri, a seat he won in 2014. J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra is running in Srinagar’s Central Shalteng constituency.
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