Out of the 26 assembly segments that went to polls in the second phase of Jammu Kashmir’s assembly elections, 20 registered a lower voter turnout compared to the 2014 elections, Press Trust of India reported.
According to J&K Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole, Wednesday’s polling saw an estimated 56.05% turnout across six districts.
In 2014, the overall voting percentage in these districts surpassed 60%. This time, the delimitation exercise added one seat, bringing the total to 26.
While voter participation increased in five segments in Srinagar, the remaining districts saw a drop. Budgam and Chrar-e-Sharief in central Kashmir recorded the most significant decline, with turnout falling by 15% compared to 2014, followed by Budhal with a 14% drop.
Despite these decreases, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi segment in Reasi recorded the highest turnout at 79.95%, though still lower than its 2014 figure of 82.68%.
Habbakadal, with a significant migrant population, registered the lowest turnout at 18.39%, down from 21.31% in 2014.
None of the assembly segments that saw a turnout increase surpassed 38%, while those with decreased turnout still exceeded 50%.
In Jammu division, turnout figures included Gulabgarh (73.49%), Surankote (75.11%), and Poonch-Haveli (74.92%), among others. Meanwhile, in the Kashmir valley, segments such as Kangan (71.89%), Beerwah (63.31%), and Ganderbal (56.97%) reported varied levels of participation.