Jammu and Kashmir assembly election 2024 live updates: 56.05% voter turnout recorded in phase 2

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said if the NC-Congress alliance comes to power in Jammu and Kashmir, it will promote the famous Sopore apple in international markets.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Chief electoral officer of Jammu and Kashmir said that the overall voter turnout across all 26 assembly constituencies in the second phase of polling reached 54 percent by 5 pm on Wednesday.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while addressing a rally in Jammu on Wednesday said that seven generations of Farooq Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi cannot restore Article 370.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Foreign delegates visited a floating polling booth on Dal Lake in Srinagar during the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir elections.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Over 46.12 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 3:00 pm in all polling stations of 26 assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir where polling is being held today under the 2nd phase of general elections to the legislative assembly, chief electoral officer, J&K.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Norwegian diplomat Beate Gabrielsen expressed her appreciation for her visit to Srinagar, saying , “It's good and I've never been here before. It's good to come to Srinagar,” after visiting a polling booth during the second phase of polling for the Jammu and Kashmir elections.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Junaid Azim Mattu, former Mayor of Srinagar said the voter turnout is not as high as expected following the Lok Sabha elections, with 21,000 votes cast so far compared to around 32,000 during the parliamentary elections in this constituency.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, the BJP candidate from the Budhal assembly seat said that the development of the region and unemployment are major issues. He alleged that there has been little development in the last 70-72 years as regional political parties focused on region-specific politics.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: 36.93 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 1 pm in the assembly polls.

People have been seen in long queues, waiting to vote in the first assembly election in the region since 2014.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar praised the large numbers in which people were coming out to vote in the assembly polls

“People are coming out to vote in large numbers...This is a history in the making...We are very happy that the voting is taking place in the entire valley and Jammu with enthusiasm.”

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Omar Abdullah told news agency ANI on Wednesday, that the Congress should focus on Jammu and Rahul Gandhi should campaign there.

Speaking about his poll ally, he said,"I hope after Rahul is done campaigning in one or two seats in Kashmir, he focuses in Jammu. Ultimately what the Congress does in Kashmir is not important. What the Congress does in Jammu is important. "

He added, “Unfortunately, Congress hasn't done as much in the plains of Jammu as we would expect them to do."

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called the Congress-NC alliance 'Parivarvaadi, Pakistan Parasti and Patharbazi’

He told ANI, “Congress-NC alliance is an alliance of confusion, no mission and no vision. People of J&K are giving a cold shoulder to these PPP (Parivarvaadi, Pakistan Parasti and Patharbazi patronising parties). ”

He added, "After the removal of Article 370, the only support they are getting is from Pakistan..."

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: JKNC candidate Omar Abdullah criticised the government for inviting foreign delegations to witness the polling process, calling them guided tourists.

He told ANI, “When the same people comment on J&K, government of India issues a statement that Jammu & Kashmir is our internal matter and others should not interfere. If you do not want interference or their comments, why are they being brought here?”

He added, "If diplomats can be brought here, why are foreign journalists not being permitted to come here and cover elections...Diplomats are being brought here as guided tourists. This is not good."

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: As elections are being conducted a decade, enthusiasm gripped the people as long queue of voters were seen waiting outside the polling stations to cast their vote.

"We have been waiting for 10 years (for elections), and the first phase went well. We expect a good turnout from the second phase also...This participation is not because of the government of India it is in spite of everything the government of India did. They have humiliated people, and all the machinery of the government to detain and harass people...All election days are important. Yes, I have a personal stake in this but all phases are important..." NC vice president Omar Abdullah said.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: 10.22 per cent voter turnout was recorded in 2 hours until 9 am in 26 seats in phase 2 of the polls.

10.91 turnout was recorded in Budgam, 12.61 in Ganderbal, 13.37 in Reasi and 12.71 in Rajouri.

Poonch has the highest turnout till now at 14.41 while Srinagar has the lowest at 4.70.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the BJP in a post on X for removing Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and urged people to vote for INDIA.

In his post, he said, “Your every vote for INDIA will break this vicious circle of injustice created by the BJP and bring Jammu and Kashmir on the path of prosperity.”

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged people to come out and vote for positive change on Wednesday.

The leader wrote in a post on X, "Jammu and Kashmir is on the cusp of change. Today, as the second phase of voting gets underway for 26 seats, I exhort the people of the Jammu and Kashmir to come out in large numbers to exercise their Democratic rights."

He added, “A vote for positive change will secure your future and guarantee unbridled welfare.”

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: The Election Commission of India has launched the home voting process in Udhampur district, ahead of third phase of the election which will start on October 1.

The move will accommodate elderly and disabled people in exercising their voting rights.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: A 102-year-old man, Hagi Karam Din Bhat, cast his vote in a polling centre in Reasi.

He told ANI, "If a good government is formed a lot of work will be done. The youth should get a good education, businesses should be set up...Everyone should come and cast their votes and appeal to all the voters to come and vote."

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Union home minister Amit Shah urged people to vote in large number for a terror free and secure Jammu and Kashmir.

In a post on X he said, “I appeal to all the voters going to cast their votes in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir election to vote in maximum numbers for the creation of a terror-free and developed Jammu and Kashmir.”

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Bharatiya Janata Party chief and candidate in the assembly polls Ravinder Raina cast his vote in his constituency Nowshera.

He has held office in Nowshera since 2014 and is hoping to continue his streak. This is Jammu and Kashmir's first assembly election in 10 years

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: PM Modi on Wednesday appealed to voters in Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their right to vote in the second phase of the assembly elections.

He posted on X saying, “I appeal to all voters to cast their vote 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.”

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, faces jailed cleric Barkati in the Ganderbal constituency as polling begins today.

Abdullah is contesting from two seats Ganderbal and Budgam, both of which are including in phase 2 of the elections.

Jammu and Kashmir polls live updates: The Election Commission has established several special polling booths operated by women, people with disabilities and others to enhance voter participation.

157 special polling stations have been established including 26 'pink polling stations' headed by women, 26 polling stations managed by specially abled persons, 26 polling stations held by youths, 31 border polling stations, 26 green polling stations and 22 unique polling stations.