Phase 2 Voting On In J&K; Omar Abdullah Among Key Candidates

Srinagar: The second phase of assembly elections is continuing in Jammu and Kashmir. Assembly elections are being held in the region after a gap of 10 years.

On Wednesday, voting is being held on 26 seats across six districts, several of them have the presence of separatists.

According to the Election Commission, around 26 lakh voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates in this second phase polls in the Union Territory.

Former Chief Minister and National Conference chief Omar Abdullah, who is contesting from Ganderbal and Budgam seats, is among the key leaders facing the electoral test.

Other prominent candidates in the fray include Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina from Nowshera assembly seat and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra from Central-Shalteng seat.

Of the 26 seats in the second round, 15 are located in central Kashmir, where separatists had a stronghold in the past.

The first phase of election was held in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18. The voting percentage was 61.13 per cent. Voting for the third phase will be held on October 1. The counting of votes will be conducted on October 8.