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Jammu Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024: National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Thursday (September 26) expressed concern over the low voter turnout in the second phase of polling in Srinagar. He said that the low turnout in Srinagar district during the second phase of voting in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections was probably the reaction of the people to the Center trying to show normal situation in the Union Territory.
These remarks by National Conference leader Omar Abdullah came after the second phase of polling on Wednesday (September 25), which saw over 56 per cent polling, as against an estimated 61.38 per cent polling in the first phase held on September 18.
Center also responsible for low turnout – Omar Abdullah
Omar Abdullah said, “Honestly, I was expecting more turnout as there was no boycott call. There was no threat or fear to the voters. I think the Center is also responsible for this. They tried to project the high polling percentage as a sign of normalcy as if people had accepted the repeal of Article 370.
‘Centre made a mistake by inviting foreign diplomats’
According to a PTI report, while talking to the media at the Uri border, the NC leader said, “Perhaps it was Srinagar’s reaction because the people of Srinagar do not want to send the wrong signal. The Centre made another mistake by inviting foreign diplomats to observe the voting in Kashmir. Perhaps they wanted to project the high voter turnout in Srinagar as a sign of big change.
He further said, “The people of Srinagar did not want to be used in this way, so they voted in less numbers. However, I am grateful to those who came to vote, no matter who they voted for.” A delegation of diplomats from 16 countries, including the US, Norway and Singapore, observed the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
Omar Abdullah is now campaigning for party candidates in areas going to polls in the third phase on October 1. He said Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara enthusiastically participated in the voting in the last elections. I hope they will do the same this time too. He said, “Wherever NC has not fielded a candidate, people should vote for Congress.”
Foreign ambassadors visited the valley to see the voting, Omar Abdullah expressed displeasure
In the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, more than 56 percent of the voters exercised their franchise in the voting for 26 seats on Wednesday (September 25). Officials said that the voting was peaceful amid tight security arrangements. Long queues of voters were seen at the polling stations since morning in the key constituencies of 26 seats in six districts, but in 20 of these areas, the voting was slightly less than the 2014 assembly elections, when the total voting was 60 percent.
Earlier, in the first phase of elections held on September 18, about 61.38 percent voting took place. The last phase of voting will be held on October 1. Assembly elections are being held after 10 years.
What was the percentage of voting?
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole told the media that 56.05 percent voting took place in the second phase. P K Pole said, “Overall the voting was peaceful. There were some sporadic incidents, but there is no need for re-poll anywhere.”
The highest voter turnout was recorded in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency, where 79.95 per cent of registered voters exercised their franchise. Similarly, Kangan (71.89 per cent), Gulabgarh (73.49 per cent) and Surankot (75.11 per cent) are included.
Officials said that the Election Commission had set up 3,502 polling stations in this phase. Of these, 1,056 were set up in urban areas while 2,446 polling stations were set up in rural areas. More than 15,000 personnel, including local police and central paramilitary forces, were deployed to maintain order at the polling stations.
Ambassadors of 16 countries visit the valley
During the second phase, a 16-member delegation of foreign ambassadors visited the valley to witness the voting. These included diplomats from the US, Norway, Singapore. This is the first time since the spread of terrorism that international observers have been allowed to observe elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jorgen K Andrews, the deputy chief of the US mission in Delhi, said the voting process looked “healthy and democratic”. “It was great to see the enthusiasm (of voters). It is great to see Kashmiris voting after a gap of 10 years. We are excited to see the results. It looks very healthy and democratic,” Andrews told the media at a polling station in Srinagar.
Omar Abdullah criticized
The Ministry of External Affairs had invited a delegation of diplomats from 16 countries to take stock of the voting process. However, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the move and said that elections in Jammu and Kashmir are an internal matter of the country.
Omar Abdullah told reporters, “When governments of other countries comment on this, the Indian government says “this is India’s internal matter” and now suddenly they want foreign observers to come here and watch our elections.”
The National Conference leader said that if India does not want interference or comments from other countries on Jammu and Kashmir, then ‘why have they been invited here?’
239 candidates in the fray in the second phase
The second phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir will decide the electoral fate of 239 candidates, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Omar Abdullah is contesting from two seats, Budgam and Ganderbal.
These big names are in the electoral fray
Apart from Omar Abdullah, the major candidates whose electoral fate will be decided by voters in this phase include state Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Ravinder Raina.
Karra is trying his electoral luck from Central Shalteng, while Raina is trying to regain the representation of Nowshera in Rajouri district. He had won there in 2014.
