J&K Records 54% Voter Turnout Till 5 PM, Polliing Underway | LIVE

As many as 20 of the 26 assembly segments that went to polls on Wednesday in the second phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir have registered lower voter turnout than that in the 2014 assembly elections.

According to the data of the Election Commission of India, the overall voting percentage in the 2014 polls was above 60 per cent for the assembly segments in the six districts that went to polls on Wednesday.

J&K Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole, while giving the data for Wednesday's polling, said an estimated 56.05 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the six districts.

Pole said the data was tentative and can go up slightly as polling was going on at some polling stations even at 6.45 pm.

In J&K elections, people from every constituency went to vote. The highest voter turnout happened in Katra.
Regarding districts, reasi recorded the highest voter turnout; in many districts, voting is still underway.
The conduct of the polls was peaceful. Even delegates visited many polling stations. The end-of-poll figures will be out tomorrow.
 

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said if the NC-Congress alliance comes to power in Jammu and Kashmir, it will promote the famous Sopore apple in international markets.

The Congress leader lamented that while walnuts, cashews and resins were put on his table, the famous Sopore apple, the main horticulture produce of the area, was missing.

"The main issue is of the Sopore apple. This apple has to be taken abroad. Your future lies in this and it has to be taken forward. It should not only reach across the country, but it should reach US, China, and Japan too," Gandhi said, with an apple in his hand.

Jammu and Kashmir's Pir Panjal region witnessed an overwhelming response from first-time voters who enthusiastically participated in the second phase of assembly elections on Wednesday, aspiring for better job opportunities, skill education, development and good governance in the Union territory.

For them, it was not just a responsibility to exercise their right to vote but also a matter of great pride. A large number of such voters turned up at the booths, not only in urban but also in rural areas of Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts.

The issues of restoration of statehood, Article 370, regional discrimination and sectarian politics failed to catch up with the young voters in J&K, as they want jobs, development, good governance, and peace.

Heading towards a huge voter turnout, all the 26 assembly constituencies have recorded 54 per cent voting till 05:00 pm, communicated the chief electoral officer, j&k.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said restoration of statehood was the "right" of people of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the INDIA bloc will hit the road and use "full force" in Parliament and outside if the Centre fails to restore it after assembly polls.

In an election rally here, he said the 2019 decision to bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs) was "a grave injustice" to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"This has never happened in the history of India that we have taken away statehood and transformed a state into a Union Territory," Gandhi, who is the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, said.

An octogenarian Kashmiri here on Wednesday did not just cast his ballot but made a strong case for democracy in the strife-torn region when he planted a sapling near the booth before he voted.

Akbar Khan, 83, who was accompanied by his family, cast his vote in the border constituency of Mendhar in Poonch district. But before that, he urged the youth to exercise their right with his humble gesture.

"Everyone should cast their vote, as it is our right. Young people should vote and choose a good candidate. The government should work sincerely for the public," Khan said after voting.

Addressing a public rally in Sopore, Congress MP & Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "We wanted that the statehood be restored before elections. All the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted the elections should take place after the restoration of the statehood... It did not happen, the first step is election. But after this, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has to be restored. INDIA Alliance will pressurise PM Modi in the Parliament for this. If they don't do this, then we will restore your statehood as soon as the INDIA Alliance forms the government at the centre. If we want this apple to reach America and Japan, statehood has to be restored..."

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday described the ongoing Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir as "history in the making", saying people are standing in long queues outside polling booths at places where calls were once given to boycott the democratic exercise.

Taking to reporters here as the second phase of polling was underway on 26 seats in the Union Territory, Kumar said 100 per cent CCTV coverage is available for this phase and one could see youngsters, women and senior citizens patiently standing in queues, awaiting their turn to exercise their franchise.

"It is a festival of democracy. Voting is taking place in areas where it did not take place earlier.... There were calls for disruption and boycott in the past.... It is a standing ovation for democracy," the CEC said in the presence of fellow election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.

46.12% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in the second phase of polling in 26 constituencies in six districts of the UT.

"It's good, and I've never been here before... It's good to come to Srinagar," says Norwegian diplomat Beate Gabrielsen after visiting a polling booth in Srinagar during the second phase of polling for the Jammu and Kashmir elections. 

After casting his vote in Reasi, Mohd Kalu - who says that he gave up terrorist activities in 2004, says, "It feels great...I would like to urge everyone - step forward and elect your government. This will lead to a good life...That time (in the past) was such that there were some compulsions due to which we had to take people at gunpoint. This is not that era. I have been living peacefully since 2004...I believe in democracy...People can live as they want - they can sport a beard, wear a cap, salwar-kameez, sport a braid...I want to tell the youth to leave that path and come to the mainstream, form your government, and live peacefully..."

On J&K elections, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate says, "Breakthrough elections are going on in Jammu and Kashmir. J&K is electing for its future. There has been complete mismanagement and unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir for the last 10 years... Their resources have been distributed among outsiders. The statehood was taken away. It has never happened in the history of independent India that the status of state was reduced to a Union Territory... We are in a good position and the way the voter turnout has been, I think people don't trust BJP's gimmicks anymore and they are seeking change..."
 

A voter turnout of 36.93 per cent was recorded till 1 pm in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir polls on Wednesday, the Election Commission said. The voting began at 7 am amid tight security arrangements and was underway peacefully.

The Gulabgarh (ST) seat in the Jammu region recorded the overall highest voting percentage at 53.94, followed closely by Poonch Haveli at 51.57, the EC data showed.

The maximum voting percentage among the 15 assembly segments in the Kashmir Valley was recorded in Khansahib at 45.44. It was followed by Kangan (ST) at 45 per cent, and Chrar-i-Sharief at 44.26 per cent.

The lowest 11.14 per cent voting was recorded in the Habbakadal constituency here till 1 pm.

The voting is scheduled to conclude at 6 pm.

The ECI said, "In Indian elections, we follow three precise dictums: free and fair, level playing field, and safe environment. In the recent elections, especially in conflict-ridden areas, there is a democratic surplus through elections. We are proving this through the EC."

"We are witnessing a good turnout, which is historic for Kashmir. This legacy will be carried forward. We are happy to announce the fervour with which elections are taking place, especially the long queues. There's a call for democracy once where there used to be calls for boycott," said the ECI amid the second phase of J&K polls.

Approximately 24.10% voter turnout recorded till 11:00 AM in Jammu and Kashmir, with 11.67% in Srinagar, 25.53% in Budgam, 27.20% in Ganderbal, 33.06% in Poonch, 30.04% in Rajouri, and 33.39% in Reasi districts.

Reacting to the foreign delegation's visit to witness the polling process in J&K, JKNC vice president & candidate Omar Abdullah said, "...I don't understand it. When the same people comment on J&K, Government of India issues a statement that Jammu & Kashmir is our internal matter and others should not interfere. If you do not want interference or their comments, why are they being brought here? People are not voting here because they are very happy with the Govt of India. People are exercising their franchise despite all the attempts by Govt of India. Otherwise, the Govt has not left any stone unturned in last 6-7 years in troubling people...But Govt of India wants all the credit...If diplomats can be brought here, why are foreign journalists not being permitted to come here and cover elections...Diplomats are being brought here as guided tourists. This is not good."

As Jammu and Kashmir votes in phase two of the Assembly elections, a foreign delegation of diplomats from various countries arrived at a polling booth in the Budgam area to witness the polling process.

JKNC vice president & party candidate from Ganderbal and Budgam, Omar Abdullah said, "We have been waiting for 10 years (for elections), and the first phase went well. We expect a good turnout from the second phase also...This participation is not because of the government of India it is in spite of everything the government of India did. They have humiliated people, and all the machinery of the government to detain and harass people...All election days are important. Yes, I have a personal stake in this but all phases are important..." 

10.22% polling till 9 AM across J&K Assembly Election

With polling for the second phase underway, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge took to X and wrote, “Jammu and Kashmir is on the cusp of change. Today, as the second phase of voting gets underway for 26 seats, I exhort the people of Jammu and Kashmir to come out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights. When you press the voting button on the EVM, do think about how your decade was lost in betrayal. A state was downgraded to a Union Territory for the first time in history. There is widespread unemployment and rampant corruption, with land rights and social justice issues becoming prevalent.”

He added, "A vote for positive change will secure your future and guarantee unbridled welfare. One single vote will secure your Constitutional rights. I warmly welcome the first-time voters, who look forward to a better future. These elections are a turning point for Jammu and Kashmir, and let us use the power of democracy to make that change happen."

“I will cast my vote today. I appeal to people to come out and vote considering the work that has been done by the candidates,” says JKNC candidate from Nowshera Assembly seat, Surinder Choudhary.

A disturbance happened at several polling stations as the National Conference claimed their candidate was not allowed to take photos of the EVMs with ink on the BJP symbol. The NC is asking for the suspension of security personnel who blocked their candidate.

The National Conference has alleged slow polling in the Nowshera constituency, leading to high-voltage drama as they objected to the conduct of the Election Commission of India (ECI). NC candidate Surinder Chaudhary has made accusations against BJP J&K President Ravinder Raina. In response to the complaints regarding slow polling, Election Commission teams arrived to address the situation. The National Conference is specifically objecting to the behavior of those deployed at the polling stations during the second phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K Assembly Elections: DC Rajouri Abhishek Sharma said, "This is a day to celebrate. The polling is being conducted in all the 5 Assembly constituencies of Rajouri. Our teams have been monitoring everything since 5 in the morning. The first important thing is that all the polling parties reach their centre and set up everything. Safety and security are also ensured...There are a total of 745 polling stations in the whole district. Wherever we are identifying any remote and sensitive area, we are taking all the precautionary measures."

J&K Assembly Elections: District Election Officer Reasi, Vishesh Mahajan, said, "There are 436 polling stations (in Reasi) and polling has begun on all of them. We can see the enthusiasm among voters...We hope that this continues till 6 pm. All facilities have been provided, water has been arranged, and we have also given directions for the arrangement of chairs as well as tents...Senior officers are here in the control room; all polling stations are being monitored...If any issue is coming up, the team is helping from here in resolving the same."

Hagi Karam Din Bhat, a 102-year-old, casted his vote for the second phase of the J&K Assembly elections at a polling center in Reasi. He said, "If a good government is formed a lot of work will be done...The youth should get a good education, businesses should be set up...Everyone should come and cast their votes and appeal to all the voters to come and vote..."

Security personnel, including police, armed police, and central paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers around the polling stations. Officials stated that a multi-layered security arrangement has been established at each station to ensure the second phase of voting occurs in a fear-free environment.

"I appeal to all the voters going to cast their votes in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir election to vote in maximum numbers for the creation of a terror-free and developed Jammu and Kashmir," Shah wrote on 'X'.

The home minister said people should vote for a government that works with commitment to the golden future of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the rights of the deprived and women and the development of the region.

"Vote today to strengthen democracy and to free Jammu and Kashmir from terrorism, nepotism and corruption," he said.

PM Narednra Modi took to X and wrote, “Today is the second phase of voting for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. I appeal to all voters to cast their votes and play their important role in strengthening democracy. On this occasion, I congratulate all the young friends who are going to vote for the first time!”

As Jammu and Kashmir votes in the second phase, BJP J&K chief Ravinder Raina said, "Today, voting for the second phase of elections will take place. I hope that there will be good voting and new records of voting will be set. This is a matter of joy for democracy. I urge the people of J&K to vote freely and without fear. Vote for strengthening the democracy, for a new and happy Jammu and Kashmir."

Raina will be trying to retain his Nowshera seat in Rajouri district which he won in the 2014 assembly polls.

Twenty-six Assembly constituencies across six districts are going to the polls today. In Srinagar district, the constituencies are Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng, and Eidgah. Budgam district includes Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-I-Sharief, and Chadoora. Ganderbal district has two constituencies: Kangan (ST) and Ganderbal.

In the Jammu division, the seats up for election 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) (in Poonch district).

Polling has begun in 26 assembly constituencies spread across six districts of Jammu and Kashmir. To facilitate smooth and hassle-free electoral participation, the Election Commission of India has established 3,502 polling stations in these segments. There are 1,056 urban polling stations and 2,446 rural polling stations. All polling stations will have webcasting facilities as part of the Election Commission's efforts to ensure transparency, according to officials.

The second phase of the J&K elections is drawing attention as jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, also known as Barkati, looks to replicate Engineer Rashid's success against a National Conference leader. Barkati is contesting from Beerwah and Ganderbal. Earlier this year, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Rashid Engineer, contested the Lok Sabha polls from Tihar jail and defeated Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla constituency by over two lakh votes.

Over 25.78 lakh voters will determine the outcome for 239 candidates across three districts in the Kashmir Valley—Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam—and the Jammu region's Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. Key contenders include former CM Omar Abdullah, JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, and BJP J&K chief Ravinder Raina.