The voting for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections began at 7 am on Wednesday, September 25. 26 constituencies across six districts - three in the Kashmir Valley of the Union Territory are casting their vote today.
239 candidates, including National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra, and BJP Jammu and Kashmir chief Ravinder Raina, are in the fray in today’s polling. As part of the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency, all polling stations will have webcasting facilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to voters to cast their votes and play an important role in strengthening democracy in the second phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. PM Modi congratulated first-time voters. "Today is the second phase of voting for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. I appeal to all voters to cast their vote and play their important role in strengthening democracy. On this occasion, I congratulate all the young friends who are going to vote for the first time," PM Modi said in a post on X.
Ravinder Raina said that there will be good voting and new records of voting will be set. He argues that the people of UT should come out and vote without fear. "Today, voting for the second phase of elections will take place. I hope that there will be good voting and new records of voting will be set. This is a matter of joy for democracy. I urge the people of J&K to vote freely and without fear. Vote for strengthening the democracy, for a new and happy Jammu & Kashmir," he added.
Raina contesting from his Nowshera seat in Rajouri district. Abdullah is contesting from the Ganderbal and Budgam seats, while Karra is contesting from Central Shalteng. The second phase will be watched keenly as jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Sarjan Barkati is hoping to repeat Engineer Rashid's Lok Sabha poll feat against the National Conference leader Omar Abdullah from Ganderbal seat.
Rajouri SSP Randeep Kumar on security arrangement said, "People have stepped out of their houses like it is a festival today. We have been seeing some morning that people have come out to vote. As far as security is concerned, we have made all arrangements. Wherever we felt that security was needed, security has been deployed...We have made adequate arrangements even in border areas, extra forces have been deployed. CAPF and Army are also deployed there."