Over 24% voting recorded till 11 am in phase two of J-K polls

Srinagar, Sept 25: Around 24.1% voter turnout has been recorded up to 11:00 am across all 26 assembly constituencies across six districts voting today, said a communique from the office of Chief Electoral Officer, J-K.

“All 26 assembly constituencies across six districts of J&K have recorded 24.1 percent voter turnout till 11 am", communicated the office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.

The assembly constituencies where polls are being held in the second phase are spread over six districts — three each in the Valley and the Jammu division.

The constituencies in Srinagar district are Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng and Eidgah.

The segments in Budgam district are Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-I-Sharief and Chadoora, while there are two constituencies in Ganderbal district — Kangan (ST) and Ganderbal.

The seats going to polls in Jammu division are 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).

The polling will decide the fate of 239 candidates including former chief minister Omar Abdullah who is contesting from two seats — Budgam and Ganderbal.

For this phase, 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 Election Commission of India has set up 3,502 polling stations in these segments. There are 1,056 urban polling stations and 2,446 rural polling stations, the officials said.

Security personnel comprising police, armed police and central armed paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength around the polling stations.