Jammu Kashmir Election 2024 Phase 2 Live Updates: Second phase of J&K assembly polls records over 56% turnout

Very healthy, very democratic: Foreign observers on J&K polls

For the first time, elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held under global spotlight, with senior diplomats from 16 countries invited to observe voting at polling stations in the Union territory. The international observers on Wednesday voiced their validation of the polls, with the US diplomat describing them as "very healthy and very democratic" and the Singapore representative calling them "comparable" to elections in her country.

"It is great to see the enthusiasm... to see Kashmiris voting after a pause of 10 years. We are very excited to see the results... It looks very healthy and very democratic," US deputy chief of the mission in Delhi, Jorgan K Andrews, was quoted by PTI as saying.

"I am glad that all the voters showed up. That's wonderful to see," said Singapore deputy head of the mission in Delhi, Cheng Wei Wei Alice. South Korean diplomat Sang Woo Lim said it was special to witness how democracy works and appreciated the idea of all-women 'pink polling stations'. Read full story

Opposition will fight for J&K statehood in Parliament, on streets: Rahul Gandhi

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi issued a stern warning to BJP-led Union government Wednesday, vowing that the opposition INDIA bloc will “hit the road and use full force” both inside Parliament and outside if J&K’s statehood is not restored after the ongoing assembly elections. The three-phase elections will wrap up on Oct 1, with votes counted on Oct 8. Read full story

56% turnout in J&K 2nd phase, high enthusiasm in Jammu division

The second phase of J&K assembly elections saw a 56% voter turnout across 26 constituencies under tight security. Voter enthusiasm was higher in Jammu division compared to Kashmir. Notable candidates include Omar Abdullah and Ravinder Raina. The final results will be announced on Oct 8. Read full story

Foreign delegation observes J&K polls

The members of a foreign delegation who are here on Wednesday to observe the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir expressed satisfaction over the conduct of polls, with some of them saying the process looks comparable to how it happens in their own countries. J&K is voting in the second phase of assembly elections in which 26 seats in six districts are going to polls. The Ministry of External Affairs has invited a delegation of diplomats from 16 countries, including the US, Norway and Singapore, to observe the exercise.

The US deputy chief of the mission in Delhi Jorgan K Andrews said the voting process looked healthy and democratic. “It is great to see the enthusiasm; it’s great to see Kashmiris out voting after a pause for 10 years. We are very excited to see the results. It looks very healthy and very democratic,” Andrews said.

The US diplomat said the process here was similar to how it happens in his country. “It is very comparable. In my country, we use schools as well for voting. So it looks very similar,” he added.

As many as 20 of the 26 assembly segments that went to polls on Wednesday in the second phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir have registered lower voter turnout than that in the 2014 assembly elections. According to the data of the Election Commission of India, the overall voting percentage in the 2014 polls was above 60 per cent for the assembly segments in the six districts that went to polls on Wednesday.

J&K Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole, while giving the data for Wednesday's polling, said an estimated 56.05 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the six districts.

Pole said the data was tentative and can go up slightly as polling was going on at some polling stations even at 6.45 pm.

There were 25 assembly segments in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts in the 2014 polls. However, the number increased by one seat to 26 in these six districts following the delimitation exercise undertaken in 2022.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Second phase of J&K assembly polls records over 56% turnout

More than 56% voters on Wednesday exercised their franchise in the second phase of polling for 26 seats in Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.
The polling passed off peacefully, officials said.

Addressing a press conference here, J&K Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole said the second phase recorded a turnout of 56.05%.

Pole said the percentage was tentative as polling was going on at some places like Hazratbal and Reasi.

"The polling was overall peaceful. Some stray incidents like arguments, etc took place, but there is no need for re-poll anywhere," he added.

J&K Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole says Highest percentage of voting has been in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra assembly constituency

J&K Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole said, "The highest percentage of voting has been in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra assembly constituency, 79.95% and the polling is still underway at some polling stations. In the Reasi district, there 3 assembly constituencies and it has the highest poll percentage 74.14. Poonch has the second-highest at 73.78%, Rajouri at 69.85%, Ganderbal at 62.63% and Budgam at 61.31% and 29.24% in Srinagar where polling is still underway at some stations..."

"There has not been any incident that I may think that a repoll is required. There were 3502 polling stations and there is no such polling booth where voting percentage was in single digits... In Srinagar, the polling percentage crossed that during the Lok Sabha election polls. Sribagar's polling percentage during the Lok Sabha elections was 24.83%, we have crossed it by 5% this time," he added.

Jammu & Kashmir Assembly polls

As of 7 PM, a voter turnout of 54.11% was recorded at the polling stations. Voting across 26 ACs which commenced at 7 AM today was held peacefully without any incidents of violence. The overall voter turnout recorded in these six districts that went for polls in Phase 2 have also surpassed the turnout recorded in Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Election Commission of India

J&K will never have a BJP government, says Mehbooba Mufti

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday asserted that Jammu and Kashmir will never have a BJP government and no "secular government" can be formed without the support of her party. She expressed readiness to support the formation of any "secular government" in Jammu and Kashmir to keep the BJP out of power.

"Jammu and Kashmir will never have a BJP government. There will be a secular government in J-K. Whatever government is formed in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP will be an important factor," Mehbooba Mufti told reporters on the sidelines of an election rally here.

She further stated, "Without PDP's support, no secular government can be formed in Jammu and Kashmir."

J&K Election 2024 Live: History in making, says CEC Rajiv Kumar

Chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar described the ongoing Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir as "history in the making", saying people are standing in long queues outside polling booths at places where calls were once given to boycott the democratic exercise.

Taking to reporters here as the second phase of polling was underway on 26 seats in the Union Territory, Kumar said 100 per cent CCTV coverage is available for this phase and one could see youngsters, women and senior citizens patiently standing in queues, awaiting their turn to exercise their franchise.

"It is a festival of democracy. Voting is taking place in areas where it did not take place earlier.... There were calls for disruption and boycott in the past.... It is a standing ovation for democracy," the CEC said in the presence of fellow election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said restoration of statehood was the "right" of people of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the INDIA bloc will hit the road and use "full force" in Parliament and outside if the Centre fails to restore it after assembly polls. In an election rally here, he said the 2019 decision to bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs) was "a grave injustice" to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"This has never happened in the history of India that we have taken away statehood and transformed a state into a Union Territory," Gandhi, who is the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, said.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Reasi district in Jammu division records the highest polling at 71.81%, Srinagar district the lowest at 27.31%

J&K polls: Voter turnout in J&K phase 2 elections touches 54% as of 5 pm

The second phase of polling in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a voter turnout of 54 percent till 5 pm, as per the Election Commission of India.

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. 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.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday reiterated that the opposition will use its full force to pressurise Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.

Addressing a public rally in Sopore, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said that for the first time in history, a state was downgraded into a 'union territory' and injustice was served to the people of the territory and the INDIA bloc will fight for its restoration.

J&K Election 2024 Live: If we want this apple to reach America and Japan, statehood has to be restored, says Rahul Gandhi

Addressing a public rally in Sopore, Congress MP & Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi said, "We wanted that the statehood be restored before elections. All the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted the elections should take place after the restoration of the statehood... It did not happen, the first step is election. But after this, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has to be restored. INDIA Alliance will pressurise PM Modi in the Parliament for this. If they don't do this, then we will restore your statehood as soon as the INDIA Alliance forms the government at the centre."

"​​If we want this apple to reach America and Japan, statehood has to be restored," he added.

Voters in queues at a polling station in Katra of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly constituency

Reasi led the individual districts with a polling percentage of 63.91%, Poonch recorded 61.45%, Rajouri recorded 58.95 %, Budgam 49.44%, Ganderbal 61,45% and Srinagar 22.62%.

J&K polls: Over 46% voter turnout recorded till 3pm in phase 2 elections

A voter turnout of 46.12 per cent was recorded till 3 pm in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir polls, the Election Commission said. The voting began at 7 am amid tight security arrangements and is underway peacefully.

The Gulabgarh (ST) seat in the Jammu region recorded the overall highest voting percentage at 65.57, followed closely by Poonch Haveli at 62.91, the EC data showed.

The maximum voting percentage among the 15 assembly segments in the Kashmir valley was recorded in Khansahib at 58.2. It was followed by Kangan (ST) at 56.55 per cent and Chrar-i-Sharief at 55.04 per cent.

The lowest 13.28 per cent voting was recorded in the Habbakadal constituency here till 3 pm.

The voting is scheduled to conclude at 6 pm.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Supriya Shrinate says 'People don't trust BJP's gimmicks anymore'

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, "Breakthrough elections are going on in Jammu and Kashmir. J&K is electing for its future. There has been complete mismanagement and unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir for the last 10 years... Their resources have been distributed among outsiders. The statehood was taken away. It has never happened in the history of independent India that the status of state was reduced to a Union Territory."

"We are in a good position and the way the voter turnout has been, I think people don't trust BJP's gimmicks anymore and they are seeking change," he added.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Terror activities fail to deter border residents to enthusiastically vote for next government in J&K

Despite terror activities over the past three years, voters in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch upheld their tradition of enthusiastically participating in the elections to help shape the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.

Known as the Pir Panjal region, Rajouri and Poonch, along with Reasi district and the central Kashmir districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam, are casting their votes in the second phase of the three-phase elections on Wednesday.

Voter enthusiasm was evident as people began lining up early at polling stations, including those near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch. According to officials, polling continued peacefully as of the latest reports.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Women voters concerned about rising electricity bill amounts

The election campaign of all the major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir revolved around the revocation and restoration of the erstwhile state's special status but women voters are more worried about the rising electricity bill amounts. An elderly woman, waiting for her turn to vote at a polling station in the heart of Srinagar city on Wednesday told a visiting foreign diplomat that she is concerned about the erratic electricity supply and the rising bill amounts.

"The electricity supply has been destroyed and tariff meters have been installed. Now they say water consumption will also be metered," the woman in her late 60s told the US Deputy Chief of Mission in Delhi, Jorgan K Andrews.

While the woman refused to identify herself, she said she spoke her heart out hoping that the diplomat's intervention will bring some relief to poor people from the rising electricity bill amounts.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Was grave discrimination against people of J&K to downgrade it to UT, will come on roads to ensure statehood restored, says Rahul Gandhi at rally

J&K Election 2024 Live: Rahul Gandhi addresses rally in Jammu

Until and unless MSME sector gets a boost, there will be no employment avenues in Jammu and Kashmir: Rahul Gandhi at Jammu rally

J&K Election 2024: This is a history in the making, CEC Rajiv Kumar says

"People are coming out to vote in large numbers...This is a history in the making...We are very happy that the voting is taking place in the entire valley and Jammu with enthusiasm...Be it the valley of Srinagar, be it the high mountain peaks from where the calls for disruption used to come, everywhere people are coming out to vote. Even in areas where there used to be calls for boycotts, there is enthusiasm among voters...It is for the world to see that how the elections can take place in J&K in a peaceful, fair manner...A large number of diplomats are also around in the area to see the assembly elections..."

J&K Election 2024 Live: Voter turnout in the second phase of J&K assembly elections will be higher than that of the first phase, says Nirmal Singh

BJP leader and former J&K Deputy CM Nirmal Singh said, "I am confident that the voter turnout in the second phase of J&K assembly elections will be higher than that of the first phase...People are coming out to vote in large numbers..."

On JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah's statement, he said, "Earlier PDP was a part of People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, they removed them from the alliance... Congress has no vision for J&K. The public of Jammu has already rejected them...They (Congress) surrendered to the manifesto of the National Conference...It is the desperation of the National Conference as their agenda is not working in Jammu and they want the Congress party to do something...This is an opportunistic alliance and people have rejected them..."

J&K Election 2024 Live: Voter turnout till 11am

24.10% voter turnout recorded till 11 am in the second phase of J&K Assembly elections.

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Wednesday hit out at the central government for inviting foreign delegates to observe the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, which Abdullah himself is contesting.

Abdullah said the government dismisses comments (on Kashmir) by foreign governments as India's "internal matter" but on the contrary has invited them as observers to J&K elections.

J&K Election 2024 Live: PDP candidate from Charari Sharief seat Ghulam Nabi Lone exercises his ballot

PDP candidate from Charari Sharief assembly constituency Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura casts his vote at a polling booth, in the second phase of J&K Assembly elections.

He says, "There is a good atmosphere here, the people have been waiting for elections for the last ten years. Voters are very enthusiastic..."

'Vote for your rights, vote for INDIA': Rahul Gandhi appeal voters to turn out in large numbers

Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday appealed to the voters of Jammu and Kashmir to vote in large numbers after the polling for second phase began in the territory.

Urging electors to vote for their rights, prosperity and abundance, Rahul Gandhi said that each vote to INDIA alliance will bring Jammu and Kashmir on the path of prosperity.

"My brothers and sisters of Jammu and Kashmir, today is the second phase of voting, come out in large numbers and vote for your rights, prosperity and abundance - vote for INDIA. By snatching away your statehood, the BJP government has insulted you and played with your constitutional rights. Your every vote for INDIA will break this vicious circle of injustice created by the BJP and bring Jammu and Kashmir on the path of prosperity," said Rahul Gandhi in a social media post on X.

Senior diplomats from US, Norway, Singapore and many other countries visiting Kashmir to witness ongoing assembly elections

J&K Election 2024 Live: NC supremo Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah cast vote in Srinagar

JKNC president Farooq Abdullah and his son & party's vice president Omar Abdullah arrive at a polling booth in Srinagar to cast their vote in the second phase of J&K Assembly elections.

Omar Abdullah is party's candidate from Budgam and Ganderbal.

J&K Elections 2024 Live: Congress hasn't done as much in the plains of Jammu as we would expect them to do, says Omar Abdullah

"Unfortunately, Congress hasn't done as much in the plains of Jammu as we would expect them to do. The lion's share of the seats that the alliance gave in Jammu was to the Congress party. Yet, the Congress' campaign in Jammu is yet to begin and there are only five days of campaigning. I hope once Rahul is done campaigning in this one seat in the valley, the Congress focuses all it's attention in the plains of Jammu."

J&K Elections 2024 Live: Voter turnout till 9am

10.22% voter turnout recorded till 9 am in the second phase of J&K Assembly elections.

J&K Elections 2024 Live: High-level delegation of senior diplomats from different countries is travelling to J&K to witness ongoing assembly polls

USA, Mexico, Guyana, South Korea, Somalia, Panama, Singapore, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, Norway, Tanzania, Rwanda, Algeria, and Phillippines. Most of the Embassies are represented by their CdA/DCM. Others are represented by Political officers at Minister-Counselor/Counselor ranks.

J&K Election 2024 Live: J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina casts vote

J&K BJP chief and party's candidate from Nowshera constituency, Ravinder Raina seeks blessings from his mother after casting his vote in the ongoing Assembly elections.

Voting is being held in 26 constituencies across six districts of the UT today.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi appeals voters to participate in J&K assembly polls

For all his primacy in J&K politics and his stewardship of National Conference, party mascot Omar Abdullah has failed to settle into a seat that could become synonymous with him over two decades of his career, as is the hallmark of political protagonists across the country. The second phase of voting on Wednesday will again spotlight the constituency-hopping by Abdullah Junior, who is trying his luck in 2024 from two seats - Ganderbal and Budgam.

J&K Election 2024 Live: JKNC candidate from Mendhar assembly constituency Javed Rana casts vote in Poonch

BJP has fielded Murtaza Ahmed Khan while Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party has fielded Nadeem Ahmed Khan from the constituency,

J&K Election 2024 Live: Amit Shah urges voters to participate in J&K polls

J&K Election 2024 Live: Omar faces competition from jailed separatist cleric Sarjan Ahmad Barkati

Ravinder Raina is up against Surinder Choudhary, a former PDP member who switched to the National Conference (NC). Key candidates in this phase include Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari (Channapora) and former ministers Ali Mohammad Sagar (Khanyar), Abdul Rahim Rather (Charar-i-Sharief), Jugal Kishore Sharma (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi), Shabir Khan (Thannamandi), and BJP candidates Choudhary Zulfikar Ali (Budhal) and Syed Mushtaq Bukhari (Surankote). Bukhari, a two-time MLA, left NC in 2022 over the Pahari reservation issue.

Omar Abdullah is contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal, an NC stronghold since 1977, beginning with party founder Sheikh Abdullah, followed by his son Farooq Abdullah, and later Omar, who won Ganderbal in 2008 after a defeat in 2002.

Omar faces a challenge from jailed separatist cleric Sarjan Ahmad Barkati, running from both Beerwah and Ganderbal. Barkati seeks to emulate Engineer Rashid’s success, who, despite being imprisoned on terrorism-funding charges, defeated Omar and Sajad Gani Lone in Baramulla during the recent Lok Sabha elections.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Long queues of voters at a polling station in Reasi constituency

Eligible voters in 26 constituencies across six districts of the UT are exercising their franchise today.

BJP has fielded Kuldeep Raj Dubey who faces a contest from Congress' Mumtaz Khan here.

J&K Election 2024 Live: People line up to vote in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency

People queue up at a polling station in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi assembly constituency of Katra to vote in the second phase of Assebly elections today.

Eligible voters in 26 constituencies across six districts of the UT are exercising their franchise today.

J&K Election 2024 Live: PM Modi congratulates first-time voters in J&K, urges participation in elections

J&K Election 2024 Live: Voters line up as second phase of J&K election begins

People await their turn to cast vote as voting for the second phase of elections begins. Voting being held in 26 constituencies across six districts of the UT today.

Visuals from Govt middle school in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi assembly constituency of Katra.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Voting begins for second phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections

Voting for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir begins. Eligible voters across 26 constituencies in six districts of the UT are casting their vote today.

239 candidates, including National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, are in fray in today’s polling.

J&K Election 2024 Live: Terror incidents impact election atmosphere

Rajouri and Poonch districts have witnessed several terror attacks since 2021, making security a top priority. Authorities are taking every precaution to ensure smooth voting without any disruptions.