NC and PDP Attribute Low Voter Turnout in J&K’s Second Election Phase to Central Government’s Actions

Women engage in conversation outside a polling station during the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, in a tribal region of Poonch district, J&K.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday (September 26, 2024) criticized the Central government for the decreased voter turnout during the second phase of elections held for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday (September 25, 2024).

NC Vice-President Omar Abdullah, expressing his dissatisfaction with the voting percentage, particularly in Srinagar, stated, “The turnout was lower than we anticipated. The Central government is to blame for equating the high voting percentage (in the previous phase) with normalcy, attributing it to the effects of Article 370’s removal. I believe the low turnout was a reaction to this in Srinagar,” he noted.

“The residents of Srinagar didn’t wish to convey a misleading message by suggesting normalcy and acceptance of the abrogation of Article 370. Their further misstep was the invitation of diplomats to showcase a higher voting percentage, which the populace of Srinagar did not want,” he added.

Mr. Abdullah expressed hope for an increase in polling during the third and final phase on October 1, stating, “Voters in Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara have participated under challenging circumstances. We are optimistic for a higher voter turnout this time as well.”

PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra blamed the Centre’s heavy-handed approach for the reduced turnout in Srinagar. “To those questioning the lower turnout in Srinagar: the extensive crackdown on the PDP, the division of its ranks, and the fragmentation of the Opposition into three separate factions have alienated voters rather than encouraging their engagement,” Mr. Parra said.

The second phase saw an approximate 57% polling rate, compared to 61.13% in the first phase. Data indicated that out of the 26 Assembly segments that participated in the second phase, 20 recorded lower polling rates relative to the 2014 Assembly elections.