Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections: Phase 2 Voting Kicks Off Amid High Stakes and Global Attention.
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections: Phase 2 Voting Kicks Off Amid High Stakes and Global Attention.
Voting for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections has officially begun, with 26 seats up for grabs. This critical phase includes 15 constituencies from the Kashmir division and 11 from Jammu. Notable candidates in this round include National Conference Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and BJP’s J&K chief, Ravinder Raina. J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra is also contesting from the Central Shalteng seat.
A delegation of diplomats from 16 foreign missions, including representatives from the United States, European Union, Russia, and Australia, has arrived in Srinagar to monitor the voting process. This 20-member group, which includes four officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, has been invited by the Centre to highlight the “peaceful conduct of the electoral process” and to demonstrate significant public participation.
Omar Abdullah, vying for a seat in his traditional stronghold of Ganderbal, is up against PDP state secretary Bashir Ahmad Mir and independent candidate Sarjan Barkati, who is currently incarcerated. In Budgam, where Abdullah is contesting again, his main competitor is PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi. The Channapura Assembly seat is expected to witness a competitive race involving Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari, NC candidate Mushtaq Guroo, PDP’s Mohammed Iqbal Trumboo, and BJP’s Hilal Ahmad Wani.
In a recent statement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP for stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its statehood, calling it an insult to the people. He encouraged residents to vote and reclaim their rights, stating, “Your every vote for INDIA will break this vicious circle of injustice created by the BJP.”
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to reflect on the last decade marked by betrayal as they head to the polls. He emphasized the importance of voting for positive change, stating, “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 Minister Amit Shah has also urged voters in Jammu and Kashmir to elect a government focused on the region’s development. He expressed the need for a “terror-free and developed Jammu and Kashmir” and encouraged residents to vote against corruption and nepotism.
As voting unfolds across 26 constituencies, a robust security presence, including police and central armed forces, has been deployed to maintain order. A multi-layered security arrangement is in place around polling stations to ensure a safe environment for voters. This phase has established 157 special polling stations, including those managed by women and youth, along with facilities for individuals with disabilities.
Voters are expressing the significance of participating in the democratic process. Fayaz Ahmed Hamdani, the first voter at a polling booth in the Habba Kadal constituency, shared, “This vote is very important. The process of democracy has to continue.”
Independent candidate Diksha Kaluria expressed her excitement after casting her vote for the first time, highlighting her commitment to serving the people.
Amid the presence of foreign diplomats, Omar Abdullah raised questions about the exclusion of foreign journalists from covering the elections, stating, “If diplomats can be brought on guided jaunts, why have all foreign journalists had their requests for permission to cover the elections turned down?”
As voters queue up outside polling booths across six districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the second phase of voting represents a pivotal moment in the region's democratic journey. The outcome of this phase will not only shape the political landscape but also reflect the will of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
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