Omar Abdullah, Ravinder Raina Among Key Candidates as J&K Votes in 2nd Phase

Jammu and Kashmir Polls Phase 2: The stage is set for the second phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The voting will begin at 7 am in 26 constituencies, spread across six districts with over 230 candidates in the fray. Notably, three out of these six districts- Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch - have been hit with back-to-back terror attacks over the last three years. Amid the voting, security has been heightened in all the districts to ensure voters can safely exercise their franchise.

The second phase of India's Jammu and Kashmir will see more than 2.5 million voters. The Union Territory saw the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir elections on September 18, with a voter turnout of 61 per cent. The UT is holding its first Assembly elections after a Central rule of six years.

The final phase of the polling is scheduled to be held on October 1.

Jammu and Kashmir Polls Phase 2: Timings, Key Constituencies

The second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir polls will be held on September 25, Wednesday. The voting will begin at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm.

The Election Commission (EC) earlier stated that to facilitate smooth and hassle-free electoral participation, it has established 3,502 polling stations in these segments and has added 1,056 urban polling stations and 2,446 rural polling stations.

During this phase, 93 candidates are in the fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam district, 34 in Rajouri district, 25 in Poonch district, 21 in Ganderbal district and 20 in Reasi district. 

The voting will take place in 26 constituencies-Kangan (ST), Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, Central Shalteng, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-i-Sharief, Chadoora, Gulabgarh (ST), Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote - Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri (ST), Budhal (ST), Thannamandi (ST), Surankote (ST), Poonch Haveli and Mendhar (ST).

Jammu and Kashmir Polls Phase 2: Key Candidates

The three-phase election is expected to see a multi-cornered fight for the 90 seats across the UT. While the National Conference (NC) and the Congress are fighting the elections in an alliance, the People's Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) are the two other major players in the polls.

The second phase of the assembly elections will determine the fate of as many as 239 candidates, including former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal. Other prominent candidates contesting in this phase include Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, contesting from the Nowshera seat, and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President Tariq Hamid Karra, running from Central Shalteng.