57.03% voting recorded in phase II: ECI

Srinagar, Sep 25: A total of 57.03 percent of voters on Wednesday exercised their franchise in the second phase of polling for 26 seats in the J&K assembly polls while the polling passed off peacefully.

The Election Commission of India said that as of 11:45 pm on Wednesday, the phase II of J&K assembly polls witnessed 57.03 percent voting.

The ECI said that the 5 constituencies of Budgam witnessed 62.98 percent voting, Ganderbal’s two constituencies witnessed 62.51 percent, three constituencies of Poonch witnessed 73.80 percent, five constituencies of Rajouri witnessed 70.95 percent, three constituencies of Reasi 74.70 percent, and eight constituencies of Srinagar 29.81 percent.

Earlier, addressing a news conference here, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang Kondbarao Pole said, “The polling was overall peaceful. Some stray incidents like arguments took place but there is no need for re-poll anywhere.”

However, the voting in the second phase marks a decline of 6 percent compared to the first phase held on September 18.

For this election phase, 3502 polling booths were established, with nearly 15,000 polling officials, including observers and support staff, deployed across six districts of J&K.

In terms of constituency-specific turnout in Kashmir, Central Shalteng saw a participation rate of 29.09 percent, Channapora 26.95 percent, Eidgah 34.65 percent, and Habba Kadal constituency the lowest 18.80 percent.

Hazratbal saw a voting percentage of 30.66, Khanyar 24 percent, Zadibal 28.36, and Lal Chowk 30.44 percent.

Beerwah registered 62.50 percentvoting, Budgam 47.18 percent, Chadoora 54.16 percent, Charar-e-Shareef 66 percent, and Khan Sahab 67.70 percent.

Ganderbal recorded a turnout of 53.44 percentwhile Kangan (ST) saw a voter turnout of 67.60 percent.

In Jammu region, Gulabgarh (ST) recorded 72.19 percentvoting, Reasi 69.09 percent, and Mata Vaishno Devi 80 percent.

Mendhar recorded 69.67 percent, Poonch-Haveli 72.71 percent, and Surankote 72.18 percent.

Budhal recorded 66.95 percent, Kalakote-Sunderbani 66.37 percent, Nowshera 69 percent, Rajouri (ST) 70.56 percent, and Thanamandi 68.44 percent.

Pole highlighted that the turnout for the second phase of assembly polls surpassed that of the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year.

Regarding the visit of foreign delegations to Kashmir, the CEO said that the diplomats visited four to five polling stations and expressed their satisfaction with the electoral process.

“Our officers briefed them on the preparations and the systematic conduct of the elections,” he said.

During the second phase, a 16-member delegation of foreign envoys visited Kashmir to witness the polls.

This is perhaps the first time since the eruption of militancy 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.

Sumit Bhargav reports from Rajouri

Chief Election Commissioner P K Pole said that long queues of voters outside polling stations were a good sign.

He mentioned the democratic enthusiasm that prevails among the people of the Pir Panjal region.

Pole reached Rajouri Wednesday afternoon where he inspected the ongoing process of voting.

He visited the District Election Control Center established at district headquarters and examined the live feed of different polling stations.