Srinagar: Polling for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections commenced on Wednesday. Over 2.5 million voters will determine the outcome for 239 candidates competing across 26 seats, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Voting started at 7 a.m. in 26 assembly constituencies, which are spread across six districts, equally divided between the Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley.
To ensure a smooth process, the Election Commission has set up 3,502 polling stations, comprising 1,056 urban and 2,446 rural stations. Tight security measures are in place, with multiple tiers of police, armed forces, and paramilitary personnel safeguarding the polling stations to guarantee voters’ safety.
Special arrangements have been made, including 157 dedicated polling stations. These include 26 polling stations managed entirely by women, 26 by specially-abled individuals, and 26 by youth, along with several border and eco-friendly “green” stations. Voting is scheduled to close at 6 p.m.
Key leaders contesting in this phase include Omar Abdullah, standing for the Ganderbal and Budgam seats, Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hamid Karra, and BJP J-K Chief Ravinder Raina, aiming to retain his Nowshera seat in Rajouri.
Among other notable candidates is jailed religious cleric Sarjan Ahmad Wagay (alias Barkati), who hopes to repeat Engineer Rashid’s success against the National Conference from Ganderbal and Beerwah constituencies. In the first phase of polling on September 18, voter turnout exceeded 61%. The third phase of elections will take place on October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.
