A healthy voter turnout of over 56 per cent was recorded in the second phase of polling across 26 Assembly segments of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday amid unprecedented security arrangements.

In the first phase, 61.38 per cent voter turnout was recorded across 24 Assembly segments.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat in the Jammu region recorded the overall highest voting percentage at 79.95 %, followed closely by Poonch Haveli at 73.78 per cent, till 6.00 pm.

Compared to the recent Lok Sabha polls the voter turnout across six districts, which went to the polls in the second phase, recorded a tentative jump of 5 per cent.

Since morning, the atmosphere at the polling stations was vibrant and the excitement was writ large as first-time voters, centenarians, and specially-abled people expressed their resolve to strengthen the grassroots democracy.

Feeling elated, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar Wednesday described the ongoing Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir as “history in the making”, saying people are standing in long queues outside polling booths at places where calls were once given to boycott the democratic exercise.

“It is a festival of democracy. Voting is taking place in areas where it did not take place earlier…. There were calls for disruption and boycotts in the past…. It is a standing ovation for democracy,” the CEC said in the presence of fellow election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.

A total number of six districts, three each in Jammu and Kashmir region witnessed healthy participation of voters. Barring a few incidents and allegations of slow polling, the overall polling process passed off peacefully. Briefing media persons in Srinagar, Chief Electoral Officer, PK Pole said in the second phase voter turn out of approximately 56.79 per cent was recorded across 26 Assembly segments till 6pm.

Out of six districts, Reasi district in Jammu recorded the highest voter turn out of over 74.14 per cent while Srinagar reported the lowest voter turn out of around 29.24 per cent. Poonch recorded a total turnout of 73.78 per cent, Budgam 63 per cent and Ganderbal 62.63 per cent.

The maximum voting percentage among the 15 Assembly segments in the Kashmir valley was recorded in Kangan (ST) at 71.89 per cent and Khansahib at 71.66 per cent. It was followed by Chrar-i-Sharief at 67.44 per cent. However, the lowest 18.39 per cent voting was recorded in the Habbakadal constituency here till 6pm. Rajouri district also witnessed 70 per cent polling. All five Assembly constituencies in the district witnessed healthy voter turn out, especially in villages located close to the line of control.

The second phase of polling will decide the fate of 239 candidates including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, contesting from two seats - Budgam and Ganderbal, J and K BJP Chief Ravinder Raina contesting from Nowshera Assembly segment of Rajouri, JKPCC Chief Tariq Hamid Karra  Central Sheltang in Srinagar.

The Election Commission of India had set up 3,502 polling stations in these segments. There are 1,056 urban polling stations and 2,446 rural polling stations.

A multi-tier security blanket was thrown around each polling station to instill a sense of security among the voters.