Voting for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections is underway across 26 constituencies in six districts. Security is tight as 239 candidates, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, are in the fray. This phase follows the first, which took place on September 18, marking the first Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in a decade with a high voter turnout of 60.21%.
Polling is being held in key constituencies including Budgam, Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Lal Chowk, and Rajouri, among others. Some of the top candidates today include Omar Abdullah, contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal, and the BJP’s Ravinder Raina and Congress’s Tariq Hamid Karra in Nowshera and Central Shalteng, respectively. Other notable figures include Apni Party’s president Altaf Bukhari (Channapora), and former ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar (Khanyar), Abdul Rahim Rather (Chrar-i-Sharief), and Choudhary Zulfikar Ali (Budhal). Jailed cleric Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, also known as Barkati, is running from Beerwah and Ganderbal.
Today’s voting is being closely observed by foreign diplomats from 16 missions, including the US, European Union, and South Korea, who are stationed at polling booths in Srinagar and Budgam. This high-profile diplomatic presence reflects the international interest in the democratic process in the region. The Ministry of External Affairs has facilitated the visit of the foreign dignitaries.
A total of 3,502 polling stations have been set up for this phase, with 13,000 staff members ensuring smooth balloting. Security forces, including police, armed police, and paramilitary forces, are deployed to maintain peace and ensure safety during the voting process. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has fielded the most candidates, with 26 in the race, followed by the National Conference (NC) with 20, BJP with 17, and Congress with six. There are also 170 independent candidates.
In this phase, more than 15,500 displaced Kashmiri Pandit voters will cast their votes at special polling stations in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi. Special provisions have been made to ensure that their voices are heard, with polling stations specifically designated for them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have both made public appeals, urging voters to participate in strengthening democracy. The third and final phase of the elections will take place on October 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8.
