Srinagar: The second phase of J&K Polls on 26 seats in six districts for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections has begun on Wednesday morning and will conclude at 6pm. Security has been tightened in key constituencies such as Rajouri, which along with Poonch and Reasi has witnessed a surge of terror attacks over the last few years.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, JKPCC President Tariq Hamid Karra, and BJP J-K Chief Ravinder Raina are among the candidates to watch in this phase. Abdullah is running for the Ganderbal and Budgam seats, while Karra is running in Central Shalteng.
As the voting began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the first time voters from the state. “Today is the second phase of voting for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. I appeal to all voters to cast their votes 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!”, wrote the Indian Prime Minister.
The Assembly constituencies in Srinagar district include Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng, and Eidgah. Budgam district has five segments: Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-I-Sharief and Chandoora. There are two constituencies in the Ganderbal district — Kangan and Ganderbal.
More than 2.5 million voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates, including 79 in the Pir Panjal region of Jammu during the second phase of elections. This is the first assembly election being held in Jammu and Kashmir in 10 years, after the abrogation of Article 370.
The first phase of voting was held on September 18 across 24 constituencies in seven districts, according to the Election Commission of India. The third phase will take place on October 1, after which counting of votes will be held on October 8.
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