The second phase of polling for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, saw a significant voter turnout of 56.05% across 26 constituencies. Officials have reported that the polling was peaceful and conducted smoothly.
J&K Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole, during a press conference in Srinagar, stated that the turnout figure was preliminary and could potentially increase slightly as voting continued at some polling stations even after the scheduled closing time of 6:45 p.m. He emphasized the peaceful nature of the elections, acknowledging minor incidents like arguments but confirming that no re-polling was necessary.
This election marked a significant milestone as it was the first time since the emergence of insurgency that a delegation of 16 foreign envoys was permitted to observe the polls in the valley. However, the move attracted criticism from former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who argued that the elections in J&K were an internal matter for India.
Analyzing the voter turnout, it is evident that 20 out of the 26 Assembly segments that participated in the second phase recorded a lower voter turnout than the 2014 Assembly elections. The overall voting percentage in 2014 for the constituencies included in this phase was above 60%.
While five constituencies in Srinagar district witnessed a higher turnout compared to 2014, all other constituencies in the remaining five districts registered a decline. The most significant drops were observed in Budgam and Chrar-e-Sharief Assembly segments in central Kashmir, with a 15% decrease in voter turnout. Budhal Assembly segment followed with a 14% decrease.
Although Shri Mata Vaishno Devi segment in Reasi district recorded the highest turnout of 79.95%, it remains lower than the 82.68% recorded in 2014 when the constituency was known as Gool Arnas. The Habbakadal Assembly segment, which has a considerable migrant voter population, witnessed the lowest turnout of 18.39% compared to 21.31% in 2014.
It is noteworthy that while some constituencies saw an increase in turnout compared to 2014, none crossed the 38% mark. All the constituencies that experienced a dip in turnout still managed to exceed the 50% mark.
The segment-wise turnout in Jammu division seats was: Gulabgarh (73.49%), Surankote (75.11%), Reasi (71.00%), Nowshera (72.00%), Kalakote-Sunderbani (68.71%), Poonch-Haveli (74.92%), Rajouri (70.64%), Budhal (68.58%), Thannamandi (69.66%), and Mendhar (71.08%).
In the Kashmir valley seats, the turnout was: Khansahib (71.66%), Kangan (71.89%), Chrar-e-Sharief (67.44%), Chadoora (55.25%), Ganderbal (56.97%), Beerwah (63.31%), Budgam (51.13%), Hazratbal (30.69%), Khanyar (26.07%), Habbakadal (18.39%), Lal Chowk (32.11%), Channapora (29.35%), Zadibal (30.73%), Central Shalteng (31.07%), and Eidgah (36.93%).
