Srinagar: Around 56 percent polling was recorded in the second phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole said.
The voting was held in 26 assembly constituencies spread over six districts of Jammu and Kashmir. In Jammu, voting was held in 11 constituencies, while in Kashmir, 15 constituencies went to polls today.
Pole said the elections were conducted in a peaceful manner and no incident was reported anywhere.
“The total percentage for phase two is over 56 per cent. The figure is tentative…,” Pole said while addressing a press conference. “The polling was overall peaceful. Some stray incidents like arguments took place, but there is no need for re-poll anywhere.”
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi segment in Reasi district achieved the highest turnout this year at 79.95 per cent. Habbakadal assembly constituency recorded lowest voter turnout of 18.39.
In Kashmir valley, he said the turnout in the assembly constituencies of Kangan was 71.89 per cent, Ganderbal 56.97, Hazratbal 30.69, Khanyar 26.07, Habbakadal 18.39, Lal Chowk 32.11, Channapora 29.35, Zadibal 30.73, Eidgah 36.93, Central Shalteng 31.07, Budgam 51.13, Beerwah 63.31, Khansahib 71.66, Chrar-i-Sharief 67.44 and Chadoora 55.25 per cent.
In the Jammu region, Gulabgarh (ST) recorded 72. 19 per cent voting, Reasi 69.09, Mata Vaishno Devi 80, Mendhar 69. 67, Poonch Haveli 72.71, Surankote 72.18, Budhal 66. 95 per cent, Kalakote-Sunderbani 66.37, Nowshera 69 per cent, Rajouri (ST) 70.56 per cent, Thanamandi 68. 44 per cent, he said.
The CEO said that phase two Assembly polls surpassed the turnout recorded in the recent Lok Sabha polls.
Pole said foreign delegations visited Kashmir to witness voting. He said the diplomats visited four to five polling stations and expressed satisfaction with the poll process.
“Our officers explained to them the preparations made and the process of how elections are being conducted,” he said.
The decision to allow foreign envoys to observe the polls was criticized by several politicians with former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah calling it “not the right thing.”
Today’s polling has sealed the fate of former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, BJP’s J&K chief, Ravinder Raina, J&K Congress President Tariq Karra and several other top leaders.
The voter turnout in the first phase of polls held last week was 63 percent. The last phase of polls will be held on October 1 and the results will be announced on October 8.
