New Delhi [India], September 27 : A voter turnout of 57.31 percent was recorded in the second phase of polling in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission of India said on Friday.
As per the ECI data, 72. 18 pc polling was recorded in Kangan, 57.12 pc in Ganderbal, 32.39 pc in Hazratbal, 26. 9 pc in Khanyar, 19.81 pc in Habba Kadal, 34.15 in Lal Chowk, 29. 53 pc in Chanapora, 30.78 pc in Zadibal, 36. 95 pc in Eidgah, 31.84 pc in Central Shalteng, 52. 27 pc in Budgam, 66.95 pc in Beerwah, 72. 8 pc in Khansahib, 70.27 pc in Chrar-I-Sharif, 57.19 pc in Chadoora, 73. 60 pc in Gulabgarh, 72.6 in Reasi, 80. 45 pc in Mata Vaishno Devi, 68. 82 pc in Kalakote- Sunderbani, 73.5 pc in Nowshera, 70.57 pc in Rajouri, 70.4 pc in Budhal, 72.88 pc in Thanamnadi, 74. 94 pc in Surankote, 74.56 pc in Poonch Haveli and 73. 56 pc in Mendhar
The second phase of polling was held in the six districts of Ganderbal, Budgam, Srinagar, and Jammu regions: Rajouri, Reasi, and Poonch. The second phase was held on September 25.
Meanwhile, Union Minister JP Nadda on Friday hit back at National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah over his statement blaming the central government for 'lower voter turnout' in the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.
Nadda, denying Omar Abdullah's claim, said "he is bad at mathematics".
Speaking at a press conference, JP Nadda said, "If one wants to see the poll percentage, it used to be 6 to 8 per cent but today it is 58 to 60 per cent. If he was bad in mathematics, what could I do? There was 60 per cent voting in the first phase and 58 per cent in the second phase."
On Thursday, Omar Abdullah said that the central government is 'partially responsible' for the 'lower voter turnout'.
"I was hoping for a little more turnout. Because there was no call for the boycott. There were no attacks. There was no attempt to suppress and threaten the voters. But I think the central government is also partially responsible for this situation. They have tried to present high turnout as a sign of normalcy at different places," Omar Abdullah said.
The first phase of assembly polls was held on September 18. Assembly elections are being held in the Union Territory after a gap of ten years and are the first since the abrogation of Article 370. The third and final phase of polling is scheduled for October 1, while the counting of votes will take place on October 8.