Srinagar: A delegation of diplomats from 15 countries, including the US, Norway, Philippines, Algeria, Spain, and South Africa, arrived on Wednesday to observe the polling process in J&K, which is taking place after a decade.
“The delegation will observe the participatory voting at various polling stations. The first phase of the J&K elections saw over 61 per cent voter turnout, reaffirming the people’s trust in the democratic process. The presence of the diplomatic delegation to witness this reflects the success of India’s democracy in J&K,” said the sources.
The delegation comprises diplomats from the US, Spain, Norway, Philippines, South Africa, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Algeria, Nigeria, Panama, Somalia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Guyana, Mexico, and Singapore.
Reports indicate that diplomats will visit various polling stations to observe the democratic process in Kashmir, where elections are being held to choose a representative government.
The Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are conducted in three phases. The first phase concluded with a voter turnout of over 61 per cent on September 18.
The second phase of voting commenced at 7 a.m. on Wednesday and will conclude at 6 p.m. In this phase, approximately 25.78 lakh voters will determine the fate of 239 candidates across six districts in J&K.
The Election Commission of India has set up 3,502 polling stations in the six districts of J&K, which include Poonch, Rajouri, and Reasi in the Jammu division, and Srinagar, Budgam, and Ganderbal in the Kashmir division.
Prominent politicians contesting in the second phase include former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra, BJP J&K President Ravinder Raina, and former Ministers such as Ali Mohammad Sagar, Asiya Naqash, Abdur Rahim Rather, Hakim Mohammad Yasin, Choudhary Zulfiqar, along with J&K Apni Party Chief Syed Altaf Bukhari.
The third and final phase of voting is scheduled for October 1, with the results to be counted on October 8.