Omar Abdullah, PDP Critique Low Voter Turnout

The National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have blamed the Central government for the lower voter turnout during the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Omar Abdullah, NC's vice-president, attributed the reduced turnout in Srinagar to a reaction against the Centre's portrayal of high voter turnout as a sign of normalcy following the abrogation of Article 370. PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra also cited the Centre's harsh policies and crackdown on opposition parties as factors discouraging voter participation. The second phase recorded a turnout of over 56%, down from 61.38% in the first phase. Both leaders criticized the Centre's decision to invite foreign diplomats to observe the elections, suggesting it was an attempt to falsely project stability. They hope for better participation in the third phase of voting scheduled for October 1.