Jammu and Kashmir recorded a 10.22 percent voter turnout as of 9 am in the second phase of polls, according to the Election Commission of India.
According to the ECI, Poonch district registered the highest turnout at 14.41 percent, followed by Reasi with 13.37 percent, Rajouri with 12.71 percent, Ganderbal with 12.61 percent, and Budgam with 10.91 percent. Srinagar recorded the lowest voter turnout at 4.70 percent.
Voting, which began at 7 am today, is ongoing across the Union Territory and will continue until 6 pm. Bronze medal-winning Paralympian archer Rakesh Kumar arrived at a polling booth in Katra on Wednesday to cast his vote.
In several parts of the region, voters were seen patiently waiting in long queues for their turn to vote. With elections taking place in Jammu and Kashmir after a decade, there is a palpable sense of enthusiasm among the people. Whether in Jammu, Srinagar, or Ganderbal, large crowds gathered outside polling stations to exercise their democratic right.
Similar scenes were observed at the Government Middle School in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly constituency of Katra, where a steady flow of voters was seen throughout the day.
National Conference vice president and party candidate from Ganderbal and Budgam, Omar Abdullah said that they are expecting a good turnout from the second phase also as the people of Jammu and Kashmir was waiting for elections from 10 years.
“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…” Abdullah said.
A 102-year-old voter, Hagi Karam Din Bhat came at the polling station in Reasi instead of choosing voting from home.
The Election Commission of India tweeted, “A 102-year-old centenarian voter, Hagi Karam Din Bhat, chose to celebrate the festival of democracy at the polling station in Reasi instead of voting from home.”
Voting for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir began at 7 am on Wednesday. Over 25 lakh eligible voters will seal the fate of 239 candidates across 26 constituencies in six districts of the Union Territory.
From early morning, long queues of voters are being witnessed, waiting for their turn to exercise their right to franchise.
In this phase, 25,78,099 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballot, comprising 13,12,730 lakh male voters, 12,65,316 lakh female voters and 53 third-gender voters.
The respective district administrations have made elaborative arrangements at all the polling stations for free, fair and transparent elections.
The last phase of polls will be held on October 1 and counting of votes will be held on October 8.
(ANI)