Ishtiyaq Kar

Srinagar, Sep 24 (KNS): Polling staff were stationed at 3,502 polling booths across 26 assembly constituencies in Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday, as the region readies itself for the second phase of the 2024 General Assembly elections, set to take place tomorrow.
Voters across these constituencies, including both urban and rural areas, will cast their ballots in what is anticipated to be a tightly contested phase.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has meticulously planned the polling process to ensure smooth and hassle-free participation for voters. Out of the 3,502 polling stations, 1,056 are located in urban areas, while the remaining 2,446 serve rural populations, highlighting the reach and scale of this phase of the election.
Ensuring that the elections proceed without disruptions, a multi-tier security blanket has been put in place.
This includes personnel from the Jammu & Kashmir police, armed police, and central paramilitary forces, who were dispatched to the polling stations early this morning. Sensitive areas have been identified, and additional forces have been stationed in these regions to preempt any disturbances.
“The safety of voters is our top priority, and we have made elaborate arrangements to create a fear-free atmosphere at each polling station,” said Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar. “Voters can come out in large numbers without any hesitation. We are determined to make this election process as smooth and secure as possible.”
Strong rooms, where the electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be stored after the close of polls tomorrow, have been secured with round-the-clock digital surveillance to ensure their safety and integrity. Strict monitoring measures, including webcasting at every polling station, have also been put in place by the ECI to enhance transparency.
All polling stations will have webcasting facilities, a significant move by the ECI to maintain the transparency of the election process.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWebcasting will allow election officials to monitor the voting in real-time and address any issues promptly. This technological intervention is expected to bolster confidence in the voting process, ensuring that electoral malpractices are minimized.
Speaking on the use of webcasting, a top Election official said, noted, “The ECI is committed to conducting free and fair elections. The introduction of webcasting at polling stations is a step towards ensuring that the elections are conducted in a transparent manner, where the process can be monitored and any concerns addressed swiftly.”
The Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir are being held in three phases. The first phase, covering 24 assembly constituencies, was held on September 18, and saw considerable voter turnout. The second phase, covering 26 seats, will take place tomorrow, while the final phase, involving 40 constituencies, is scheduled for October 1.
The results for all phases will be announced on October 8, when the votes will be counted.
In the rural regions of Jammu, which include remote and mountainous areas, the deployment of polling parties was completed early to ensure all arrangements are in place before voting begins.
“We have faced challenges due to difficult terrain, but our teams have reached all designated locations,” said one of the officials.
Political analysts suggest that this phase is critical for parties like the National Conference (NC), Congress and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which traditionally perform well in the Kashmir Valley, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to consolidate its position in the Jammu region.
As the clock ticks down to polling day, security personnel remain vigilant, and the election machinery is prepared to welcome voters. (KNS)