An estimated 54 per cent of over 2.5 million electorate in 26 constituencies spread over six districts exercised their right to vote till 1700 hours in phase two of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election on Wednesday amidst tight security, a top official said.
Three of the districts which went to the hustings during the day are located in Jammu Division, and the rest in the Kashmir Valley.
As per district-wise break-up, Reasi recorded highest 71.81 pc voting, followed by Poonch with 71.59 pc, Rajouri (Jammu region)-67.77 pc, Budgam-58.97 pc, Ganderbal-58.81 pc and Srinagar (Kashmir region)-27.31 pc till 1700 hrs.
In three districts of Jammu division, the voting percentage seemed impressive as the day progressed with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi recorded highest 75.29 pc, Poonch Haveli constituency recorded the second highest polling figure at 72.71 pc.
The voter turnout in Surankote-72.18 pc, Gulabgarh-72.19 pc, Reasi-69.09 pc, Rajouri-68.06 pc, Nowshera-69 pc, Thannamandi-68.44 pc and Budhal-66.95 pc after 10 hours of polling.
In three districts of the Kashmir region, Khansahib recorded highest (67.7 pc) turnout, followed by Kangam (67.6 pc), Chrar-i-Sharief (66 pc), Beerwah (62.5 pc), Chadoora (54.16 pc), Ganderbal (53.44 pc), Budgam (47.18 pc), Eidgah (34.65 pc), Zadibal (28.36 pc), Lal Chowk (30.44 pc), Central Shalteng (29.09 pc), Chanapora (26.95 pc), Hazratbal (30.24 pc), Khanyar (24 pc).
As polling started at 0700 hrs in the morning, long queues of enthusiastic voters were seen waiting for their turn to exercise their right to franchise.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to voters in Jammu and Kashmir to use their franchise.
“I appeal to all voters that they must cast their votes and play an important role in strengthening democracy,” Modi said while greeting the first-time voters.
Over 2.5 million voters are eligible to choose their nominees from a pool of 239 candidates in the fray for the 26 seats in the second phase of the election now underway in the Union Territory.
The polling in this phase will decide the fate of former chief minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah who is contesting from two constituencies — Budgam and Ganderbal.
In Budgam, Omar is up against against Peoples Democratic Party’s Agha Syed Muntazir, cousin of NC leader and MP Rullah Mehdi.
The fate of J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina, who is trying his electoral luck from Nowshera, will also be decided in this phase.
The BJP chief is facing a tough challenge from former MLC Surinder Choudhary, who is fighting the elections on an NC ticket.
Other prominent candidates in the race include Congress J&K president Tariq Karra from Central-Shalteng; Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari from Channapora, jailed cleric and separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay from Ganderbal and Beerwa, NC leaders Ali Mohammad Sagar from Khaniyar, Rahim Rather from Chrar-i-Sharief, BJP leaders Aijaz Hussain from Lal Chowk, Choudhary Zulfikar from Budhal and Syed Mushtaq Bukhari from Surankote.
More than 13,000 polling staff have been posted at 3,500 polling stations, as part of the multi-tier security blanket thrown to ensure the voting in an atmosphere free of fear. Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held nearly after a decade.
The first phase was held on September 18 that recorded an impressive turnout of over 61 per cent and the last phase is scheduled on October one. The counting will take place on October eight.
