Hope large number of people will participate in polls on September 25: CEO

SRINAGAR: Ahead of the second phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory PK Pole participated in an electoral awareness programme organised under Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) and expressed hope that a large number of people would participate in the state Assembly elections.

PK Pole said, “This (Lal Chowk) is a very historic place having significant meaning. Today under SVEEP, an electoral awareness programme was organised here. This was done to aware the voters. A large number of people participated in the polling here during the Lok Sabha polls. We hope that a large number of people will participate in the J&K Assembly elections also. Assembly elections are going to be held on September 25 in Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal.”

He appealed to people to come in large numbers to vote on September 25.

“For a better polling experience, all kinds of basic facilities have been provided at polling stations. The Election Commission of India has always tried to make the polls inclusive and so we conduct awareness programme,” he added.

Earlier intensifying the National Conference’s campaign for the second phase of Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir scheduled for September 25th, the party’s vice president and former CM Omar Abdullah on Sunday held a Shikara rally in the iconic ‘Dal Lake’ to support the NC’s candidate.

Zadibal Assembly Constituency, Tanvir Sadiq. Aga Ruhullah MP from Srinagar also joined the Shikara Rally. Started from Nehru Park Ghat No. 7, the rally moved across Dal Lake, Omar Abdullah between the campaign posed with the Party’s flag and also took a ride on Jet Ski.

Speaking to ANI, Omar Abdullah said, “There are very few places in the world with such beauty and serenity. We are fortunate to live in this beauty, but there are many issues here. Through this campaign, we aim to showcase some of this beauty, but the pain and dissatisfaction felt by the people over the last decade may not be expressed in today’s gathering, but it will be evident through their votes.”

The first phase of voting was completed in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 with a voter turnout of 61.13 per cent registered across 24 constituencies in seven districts, as per the Election Commission. The second and third phases will be held on September 25 and October 5, respectively. Vote counting will be conducted on October 8 along with the counting of votes in Haryana. (ANI)