Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections Live Updates: In Phase 2, J-K records over 55% voter turnout

One of the two visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu ahead of the elections was to Katra town in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly seat of Reasi district.

On September 19, the PM held a rally and roadshow in Katra, which is the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine. “A government is required here (in J&K), which respects our faith and promotes our culture,’’ Modi said.

The Vaishno Devi shrine has always been significant for the Modi-led BJP, with the then PM nominee of the party praying at the temple before kickstaring his 2014 Lok Sabha campaign.

This time, the significance is doubled as, after the 2022 delimitation, there is now a Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly seat, carved out of the Reasi and Udhampur Assembly constituencies. It voted in the second phase of the Assembly polls on Wednesday.

Read Arun Sharma's Political Pulse here.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) district president Dapinder Singh Romi, along with several others, joined the BJP in Jammu on Wednesday.

The new members were welcomed by Jammu and Kashmir BJP working president Sat Sharma, along with deputy in-charge Ashish Sood.

Sharma expressed confidence that the inclusion of new members would strengthen the party further. “More people are being drawn to the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and they are embracing the BJP,” he said.

He added, "The BJP will form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir on its own." Sharma claimed that the abrogation of Article 370 under PM Modi's leadership has brought peace to the Union Territory. "People are now living with dignity. A record number of tourists are visiting, and film shoots have resumed after more than three decades," he said, news agency PTI reported.

A delegation of diplomats from various countries, including the United States, European Union, Russia, and Australia, visited Dal Lake in Srinagar, and arrived at a polling booth in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam to witness the polling process of the second phase of assembly elections in the region after being invited by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Standing in queue to cast their vote, locals in Kashmir’s Kangan assembly constituency were in no rush. “We’ve waited so long for this election, what’s a few more minutes,” said one, as 15 assembly segments in the Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam districts of central Kashmir voted on Wednesday.

Today was the second of the three phases in the J&K assembly elections, and the turnout for 26 assembly constituencies across the two Union Territories at 5 pm was 54 per cent.

At Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali is contesting as a fourth-generation politician for the National Conference. His father, Mian Altaf, was elected to the Parliament from the Anantang-Rajouri seat in June. A Gujjar pir, “Mian sahab”, as he locally called, holds significant sway in the area owing to his status as a sufi pir. Mehar Ali’s competitor from this reserved (ST) seat is PDP candidate Syed Jamat Ali Shah.

Read Naveed Iqbal's report here

Addressing an election rally in Sopore of Baramulla district, in support of Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance candidates from 11 assembly segments, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday questioned the Centre's 'Make in India' project and alleged that GST and demonetisation were used as weapons to clear roads for business tycoons like Adani and Ambani, news agency PTI reported.

Gandhi accused the BJP of using central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax (IT) to browbeat opponents.

"An Israeli company is making drones but the label is of Adani. They say it is 'Made in India' but how so? These are Israeli weapons made by Adani and not made in India and this is the situation in the entire country," Gandhi said at the rally.

Speaking in support of the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance, he said if it comes to power in Jammu and Kashmir, they will promote the famous Sopore apple in international markets.

(With PTI inputs)

Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti held a roadshow in Jammu city to support PDP candidate Aditya Gupta, representing the Jammu East Assembly Constituency.

BJP has fielded Yudhvir Sethi and Congress has fielded Yogesh Sawhney from Jammu East Assembly Constituency where the polling will be conducted in the 3rd phase of the elections scheduled for October 1, news agency ANI reported.

The members of a foreign delegation who are here 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.

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 told PTI Videos at a polling station.

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.

Congress MP & Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi while campaigning in Jammu and Kashmir said, "In the history of India, after 1947 several UTs were turned into states. States were divided - Telangana was formed out of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand was formed out of Bihar, Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. But for the first time after independence, a state was turned into a UT. This was done to Jammu & Kashmir. This is an injustice to you. Your democratic rights have been snatched away from you. Today J&K, is not run by the people of J&K, it is run by the people of other states. We had thought that you would get back the statehood before elections. That would have been the correct way...But it is fine that they are conducting elections first. But we want your democratic rights, the statehood of J&K is given back to you."

Jammu and Kashmir recorded a voter turnout of 36.93% at 1 pm. Budgam recorded a turnout of 39.43%, Ganderbal 39.29%, Poonch 49.94%, Rajouri 46.93%, Reasi 51.55%, Srinagar 17.95%.

After casting his vote, JKNC candidate from Charar-i-Sharief Assembly constituency, Abdul Rahim Rather told ANI, "It is a matter of happiness that the public of J&K are voting after 10 years...For the past 10 years, the public has been facing a lot of difficulties...I appeal to voters to come out and vote in large numbers..."

A group of diplomats from 16 foreign missions arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday to “observe” the voting. Amid the visit, Alice Cheng, Deputy High Commissioner at Singapore High Commission told PTI, "We are very grateful to MEA for organising this trip and allowing us an opportunity to actually visit a polling station. Even in Delhi, because of regulations, we would not typically walk into a polling station to see how people vote. I am glad that they (women voters) came... that's a wonderful thing to see."

At 11 am, Jammu and Kashmir recorded a voter turnout of 24.10% with Budgam recording 25.53%, Ganderbal 27.20%, Poonch 33.06%, Rajouri 30.04%, Reasi 33.39%, Srinagar 11.67%, according to Election Commission of India.

A delegation of diplomats from 16 countries, including the US, Norway and Singapore arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The delegation visited a polling station in Ompora area of Budgam district soon after their arrival in the valley, officials told PTI.

The delegation comprised diplomats from Delhi-based missions of the US, Mexico, Guyana, South Korea, Somalia, Panama, Singapore, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, Norway, Tanzania, Rwanda, Algeria and the Philippines, people familiar with the matter said.

Most of the embassies are represented by their Charge d'affaires and deputy chief of missions, they said. Others are represented by political officers at minister-counselor and counselor ranks.

With PTI inputs

The second phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls is underway and brisk voting has been witnessed in the initial hours. “People want justice and therefore, are casting vote. People demand job security, peace, land protection,” Awami National Conference candidate from Budgam Assembly constituency Aga Syed Ahmad Moosvi told PTI.

A group of 16 diplomats are currently observing Jammu and Kashmir elections. Responding to their visit, JKNC vice president & candidate Omar Abdullah told ANI."...I don't understand it. When the same people comment on J&K, Government of India issues a statement that Jammu & Kashmir is our internal matter and others should not interfere. If you do not want interference or their comments, why are they being brought here? People are not voting here because they are very happy with the Govt of India. People are exercising their franchise despite all the attempts by Govt of India. Otherwise, the Govt has not left any stone unturned in last 6-7 years in troubling people...But Govt of India wants all the credit...If diplomats can be brought here, why are foreign journalists not being permitted to come here and cover elections...Diplomats are being brought here as guided tourists. This is not good."

For the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, a group of diplomats from 16 foreign missions, including the United States, European Union, Russia and Australia have arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday to observe the voting. The 20-member delegation includes four representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs. With the invitation, the Centre aims to showcase the “peaceful conduct of the electoral process” and “participation of people at a large scale”.

Security personnel have been deployed in large number across all polling booths in Jammu and Kashmir as voting for phase 2 polls in underway. Migrants from Kashmir valley, who currently reside in Jammu have cast their vote at special polling station in Jagati township, PTI reported.

"I am a migrant. We have several problems and both the Central and state governments are aware about them. We hope that whichever government comes, they will resolve our issues," a voter told the news agency.

"They promise 'ghar wapasi' whenever election comes but nothing has been done so far. We hope that it will be done this time," another voter said.

As second phase of voting is underway across 26 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, a voter turnout of 10.22% was recorded at 9 am. Budgam recorded a voter turnout of 10.91%, Ganderbal 12.61%, Poonch 14.41%, Rajouri 12.71%, Reasi 13.37%, Srinagar 4.7% at 9 am, according to Election Commission of India.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP over Jammu and Kashmir statehood while urging people to cast their vote. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said the saffron party insulted them and played with their constitutional rights by snatching away their statehood.

In a post on X, in roughtly translated Hindi, Gandhi wrote, "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 prosperity - 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."

As over two hours have passed since second phase polling began in Jammu and Kashmir, several polling booths across 26 constituencies witnessed brisk voting. The voting began at 7 am amidst tight security arrangements and was going on smoothly, the officials told PTI.

They said brisk polling was witnessed in the first hour and long queues of people were seen outside the polling booths. While the Chrar-e-Sharif assembly segment in central Kashmir's Budgam district witnessed heavy polling, the two seats in Ganderbal district recorded brisk polling as well. However, the polling was yet to pick up in Srinagar district, the officials said.

With PTI inputs

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters of Jammu and Kashmir to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Kharge urged voters to "think about how they lost a decade in betrayal" while casting vote. In a post on X, Kharge wrote, "Jammu and Kashmir is on the cusp of change. Today, as the second phase of voting gets underway for 26 seats, I exhort the people of the Jammu and Kashmir to come out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights.

When you press the voting button on the EVM, do think about how your decade was lost in betrayal. A state was downgraded to a Union Territory for the first time in history. There is widespread unemployment and rampant corruption, with land rights and social justice issues becoming prevalent.

A vote for positive change will secure your future and guarantee unbridled welfare. One single vote will secure your Constitutional rights. I warmly welcome the first time voters, who look forward to a better future. These elections are a turning point for Jammu and Kashmir and let us use the power of Democracy to make that change happen."

Union Home Miniser Amit Shah appealed people of Jammu and Kashmir to vote in large numbers to elect a government for the region's development. In a post on X, Shah wrote, "I appeal to all the voters going to cast their votes in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir election to vote in maximum numbers for the creation of a terror-free and developed Jammu and Kashmir."

Shah urged people to vote for a government that works with commitment to the golden future of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the rights of the deprived and women and the development of the region. "Vote today to strengthen democracy and to free Jammu and Kashmir from terrorism, nepotism and corruption," he said.

As second phase of voting is underway across 26 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, security personnel including police, armed police and central armed paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers. A multi-tier security blanket has been thrown around each polling station to ensure the voting for the second phase is held in an atmosphere free of fear, officials told PTI.

For this phase, 157 special polling stations have been 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. Polling is scheduled till 6 pm today.

Polling is underway in 26 constituencies amid tight security. "This vote is very important. The process of democracy has to continue. Our problems will get solved, roads will be constructed... there are several benefits of election. Our representatives will come in the Assembly and work to resolve our problems. It is good that elections are being held," Fayaz Ahmed Hamdani, first voter at a polling booth in Habba Kadal Assembly constituency told PTI.

“I, for the first time, have cast my vote and that too for myself. I am enthusiastic and happy. I want to move forward and work for people,” Independent candidate from Reasi Assembly Constituency Diksha Kaluria told PTI after casting her vote.

Commenting on the diplomats' visit to Jammu and Kashmir to observe second phase of polling, PDP spokesperson Waheed Para earlier said, “On one hand, the government says we don’t want any interference from outside and no international attention on Kashmir, and on the other, they hold G20 and showcase people’s participation as their own success story. Our mobilisation in elections is purely driven by people and credited to locals. The government’s claims over our participation is akin to selling people’s urge for representation as their own achievement.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed Jammu and Kashmir citizens to cast their vote as second phase of polling is underway in 26 seats. "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.

With PTI inputs

Independent candidate from Habba Kadal constituency Ashif Beigh appealed youngsters to vote and give him a chance. “I belong to the Congress party. You must know what our stand has been in the Parliament and outside Parliament. I am contesting as independent because the alliance (Congress-NC) takes place from both sides. I have worked for the youths and only want to ask them to give me one chance,” Beigh told PTI.

As a group of 16 diplomats are set to observe the polls, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah commented earlier, “It’s strange that the government always talks about J&K being an internal matter for India and discourages other countries from commenting, but is now organising guided tours to witness elections. If diplomats can be brought on guided jaunts, why have all foreign journalists – including those with OCI cards – had their requests for permission to cover the elections turned down?”

As polling has begun for the second phase of elections, people have started queuing up outside polling booths in Balhama, Mata Vaishno Devi. Voting is being held in 26 constituencies across six districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The second phase of voting for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections has begun, with 26 seats going to polls. The second phase including 15 constituencies in the Kashmir division and 11 in Jammu, will witness key contests of candidates such as National Conference Vice President and former CM Omar Abdullah, BJP’s J&K chief Ravinder Raina. J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra is also in the fray from the Central Shalteng seat.

While second phase of voting will begin shortly, mock polling is underway at polling booth in Habba Kadal. Election officials are seen undertaking the mock polling in a video posted by PTI on X.

As phase 2 of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls will be held today, a group of diplomats from 16 foreign missions, including the United States, European Union, Russia and Australia are set to arrive in Srinagar. This phase, which includes 15 constituencies in the Kashmir division and 11 in Jammu, will determine the fate of high-profile faces like National Conference Vice President and former CM Omar Abdullah, BJP’s J&K chief Ravinder Raina. J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra is also in the fray from the Central Shalteng seat. Stay tuned here we bring you latest updates from the polls.