Jammu Kashmir Election Phase 2 Voting Highlights: 54% Turnout Recorded Till 5 PM, Jammu Records Maximum Voting; Polling Concludes

A voter turnout of 54 per cent was recorded till 5 pm in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir polls on Wednesday, the Election Commission said. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat in the Jammu region recorded the overall highest voting percentage at 75.29, followed closely by Poonch-Haveli (72.71), Gulbgarh (ST) at 72.19 and Surankote (72.18).

Voters in queues at a polling station in Katra of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly constituency. PDP has contested Partap Krishan Sharma, BJP has contested Baldev Raj Sharma and Congress has contested Bhupinder Singh from here.,

#WATCH | J&K Assembly elections | Reasi: Voters in queues at a polling station in Katra of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly constituency.

PDP has contested Partap Krishan Sharma, BJP has contested Baldev Raj Sharma and Congress has contested Bhupinder Singh from here pic.twitter.com/37QlteFvvY, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

A delegation of diplomats from various countries in Jammu & Kashmir to witness Assembly elections in the UT visits Srinagar's Dal Lake. US Deputy Chief of Mission Jorgan K Andrews says, "It is fascinating to see how India organises its elections and how thorough the preparations are and how celebratory this period is. It has been very inspiring...It is heartening to see Kashmir is casting vote after 10 years.",

#WATCH | A delegation of diplomats from various countries in Jammu & Kashmir to witness Assembly elections in the UT visits Srinagar's Dal Lake pic.twitter.com/isD9zGiguP, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

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

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 would like to tell the youth to leave that path and come to the mainstream, form your government and live in peace..,

#WATCH | J&K assembly 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… pic.twitter.com/oxpkqU18F6, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

Democratic Progressive Azad Party leader and candidate from Ganderbal, Qaiser Sultan Ganaie on Wednesday claimed that his opponent Omar Abdullah is losing elections from the seat, as people want a local leader who knows and addresses the local issues.

In a pointed remark aimed at its alliance partner Congress party, which is contesting elections in Jammu and Kashmir alongside the National Conference, Omar Abdullah urged Rahul Gandhi to wrap up campaigning in Kashmir and shift his focus towards Jammu.He emphasized that the party should prioritize Jammu, where it holds the majority of seats, instead of solely campaigning in Kashmir.

A delegation of diplomats from various countries arrived at a polling station in the Bemina area of Srinagar to witness the polling process.,

#WATCH | J&K Assembly elections | A delegation of diplomats from various countries arrives at a polling station in Bemina area of Srinagar to witness the polling process.

26 constituencies across six districts of the UT are voting today. pic.twitter.com/AkmFIWfR9O, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

In a groundbreaking initiative, a pink polling station was established in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district as Phase 2 of the assembly elections commenced on Wednesday. Pink polling stations have been set up in other districts of Jammu-Kashmir too, including Reasi and Naushera among others. This unique polling station, entirely managed by women, aims to create a welcoming environment and encourage greater female participation in the electoral process.

Poonch- 14.42%
Ganderbal- 12.61%
Budgam- 10.91%
Rajouri- 12.71%
Reasi- 13.37%
Srinagar- 4.70%

Amid the polling for the second phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday appealed to people to cast their votes in large number for positive change that will "secure their future" and "guarantee unbridled welfare."

Hagi Karam Din Bhat, who says he is 102 years old, casts his vote for the second phase of Assembly elections at a polling centre in Reasi. He says, "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...",

#WATCH | J&K: Hagi Karam Din Bhat, who says he is 102 years old, casts his vote for the second phase of Assembly elections at a polling centre in Reasi.

He says, "If a good government is formed a lot of work will be done...The youth should get a good education, businesses… pic.twitter.com/pWfZ1aRxGN, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

As the second phase of polling begins in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday appealed to the people of the Union Territory to vote in large numbers for a developed and terror-free region.,

जम्मू-कश्मीर के दूसरे चरण में मतदान के लिए जा रहे सभी मतदाताओं से आतंकवाद मुक्त व विकसित जम्मू-कश्मीर के निर्माण हेतु अधिक से अधिक संख्या में मतदान करने की अपील करता हूँ। एक ऐसी सरकार के लिए रिकॉर्ड मतदान करें, जो जम्मू-कश्मीर के युवाओं के स्वर्णिम भविष्य, वंचितों व महिलाओं के…, — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 25, 2024

First three voters at a polling station in Bagoo Rampora of Ganderbal constituency, plant saplings after casting their vote. JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah is contesting from here, facing a contest from PDP's Bashir Ahmad Mir.,

#WATCH | J&K Assembly elections: First three voters at a polling station in Bagoo Rampora of Ganderbal constituency, plant saplings after casting their vote.

JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah is contesting from here where he is facing a contest from PDP's Bashir Ahmad Mir. pic.twitter.com/69S7MYpyS1, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

88-year-old Sansaro Devi arrived at polling station number 116 in the Naushera assembly constituency to cast the first vote.

J-K BJP chief and party's candidate from Nowshera constituency, Ravinder Raina, cast his vote at polling Station number 90 in Nowshera. ,

#WATCH | Nowshera: J&K BJP chief and party's candidate from Nowshera constituency, Ravinder Raina shows his inked finger after casting his vote for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections. https://t.co/nhTOhs9IE7 pic.twitter.com/tk4hEMLOfR, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

BJP candidate from Habba Kadal Assembly constituency, Ashok Kumar Bhat says, "The voting will go smoothly and people will come out in large numbers to vote. I am hopeful that the public will vote for BJP...",

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: BJP candidate from Habba Kadal Assembly constituency, Ashok Kumar Bhat says, "The voting will go smoothly and people will come out in large numbers to vote. I am hopeful that the public will vote for BJP..." pic.twitter.com/5GhrPqPVo0, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief and party candidate from Nowshera, Ravinder Raina, offered prayers at the Thakurdwara Temple ahead of the second phase of the assembly election.,

#WATCH | J&K BJP chief and party's candidate from Nowshera constituency, Ravinder Raina offers prayers at Thakurdwara Temple ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections, today.

Voting will be held in 26 constituencies across six districts of the UT today. pic.twitter.com/siU1HZsNsp, — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2024

People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the next government in Jammu and Kashmir will be secular and that no government will be formed without the support of her party.

PM Modi on Wednesday urged the first-time voters to cast their votes in large numbers as second phase voting for JK Assembly polls begins today.  ,

जम्मू-कश्मीर में आज विधानसभा चुनाव के दूसरे दौर की वोटिंग है। सभी वोटर्स से मेरी अपील है कि वे अपना वोट जरूर दें और लोकतंत्र को मजबूत बनाने में अपनी अहम भूमिका निभाएं। इस अवसर पर पहली बार वोट डालने जा रहे सभी युवा साथियों को मेरा अभिनंदन!, — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 25, 2024