Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir attribute lower voter turnout in the second phase of polling to the Centre’s earlier messaging and its decisions surrounding the region’s constitutional status. Omar Abdullah, vice-president of the National Conference, says the Centre tried to depict high voter turnout in the first phase as evidence of “normalcy” and as public acceptance following the revocation of Article 370. He argues that the subsequent lower turnout in the second phase reflects public reaction, including in Srinagar. According to Abdullah, the framing of first-phase polling influenced voters’ perceptions and participation in later phases. Other party figures associated with the National Conference and the PDP also raise similar concerns, pointing to the Centre’s role in shaping how voter turnout trends are interpreted and communicated. The statements focus on the turnout figures and the political narrative around Article 370 rather than on administrative or security-related explanations. Both parties’ remarks portray the turnout drop as a response to Centre actions and their aftermath, with attention on how earlier polling was presented to the public.