LIVE | J&K Polls: 56% voter turnout in Phase 2; voting peaceful, says CEO
The voting began at 7 am across the 26 Assembly constituencies amidst tight security arrangements
More than 56 per cent of 2.5 million voters exercised their franchise in the second phase of polling for 26 seats in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls on Wednesday (September 25).
The polling passed off peacefully, officials said.
Addressing a press conference, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole said the second phase recorded a turnout of 56.05 per cent.
Pole said the percentage was tentative as polling was going on at some places like Hazratbal and Reasi.
Peaceful polling: CEO
He said the polling was peaceful and by and large smooth.
"The polling was overall peaceful. Some stray incidents like arguments, etc. took place, but there is no need for re-poll anywhere," he added.
Voting began at 7 am across the 26 Assembly constituencies amidst tight security arrangements, the officials said. They said these Assembly constituencies are spread over six districts – three in the Valley and as many in the Jammu division.
Voting held across 3,500 polling stations
The Election Commission of India (EC) had established 3,502 polling stations in these segments.
Security personnel comprising police, armed police and central armed paramilitary forces were deployed in strength around the polling stations. A multi-tier security blanket was thrown around each polling station to ensure the voting for the second phase is held in an atmosphere free of fear, officials said.
For the second phase, 157 special polling stations were established – 26 'pink polling stations' managed by women, 26 polling stations manned by specially-abled persons, 26 polling stations manned by youths, 31 border polling stations, 26 green polling stations and 22 unique polling stations, the officials said.
Foreign envoys’ visit
During the second phase, a 16-member delegation of foreign envoys visited the valley to witness the polls.
This is perhaps for the first time since the eruption of insurgency that international observers were allowed to witness the elections in the Union territory.
However, the move drew criticism from former chief minister Omar Abdullah who said the polls in Jammu and Kashmir were an internal matter of the country.
