Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election 2024: With several high-profile candidates in the fray, the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election is set to take place on September 25, Wednesday. Voting will take place in 26 constituencies across six districts.
This phase is particularly significant as it will determine the fate of 239 candidates, including former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, contesting from both Budgam and Ganderbal. Other notable candidates include Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, competing for the Nowshera seat, and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra, running from Central Shalteng.
To enhance safety, security personnel have been deployed across various regions, and vehicles are undergoing inspections.
The Assembly seats involved in this phase include Kangan (ST), Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, Central Shalteng, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-i-Sharief, Chadoora, and Gulabgarh (ST). Additionally, elections will be held in Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri (ST), Budhal (ST), Thannamandi (ST), Surankote (ST), Poonch Haveli, and Mendhar (ST).
More than 2.5 million people will be eligible to cast their franchise across 26 seats – 11 in Jammu and 15 in Kashmir – on Wednesday, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Following the successful completion of the first phase of polling, which witnessed a voter turnout of 61.38 percent, the Union territory is now preparing for the second phase scheduled to be held on September 25. Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are taking place in three phases. The third phase of voting will be conducted on October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.