Srinagar, September 25 (HS). Voting for the second phase of the assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir began this morning. In the second phase, voters' decision on 26 seats in six districts will be sealed in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Many areas included in this phase of elections have been centers of separatist activities. Tight security arrangements have been made in such areas. In this phase, voting has started on 15 seats in the Kashmir Valley and 11 seats in the Jammu division. 25.78 lakh voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates.
Tight security arrangements have been made at polling stations in Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Central Shalteng, Idgah constituencies of Srinagar district of Kashmir, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Charar-e-Sharif and Chadoora blocks of Budgam district, two constituencies Kangan and Ganderbal in Ganderbal district, Gulabgarh, Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri, Budhal, Thannamandi, Surankot, Poonch Haveli and Mendhar in Jammu division. Central Industrial Security Force, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces have been deployed.
There are 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir. In the first phase, voting for 24 seats was held on September 18. In the final third phase, voting for the remaining 40 seats is to be held on October 1. The result will be declared after counting of votes on October 8. In the second phase, the fate of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, JKPCC President Tariq Hamid Karra and BJP Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ravinder Raina is at stake.