Aman Zutshi
In a surprising decision, the Election Commission of India on Tuesday through a press note informed the rescheduling of date of the polling in Anantnag – Rajouri constituency in J&K from May 7 to May 25, 2024.
In a press note issued by the ECI a copy of which lies with the Gulistan TV reads, “The Election Commission of India had announced the schedule for General Election to the Lok Sabha vide its Press Note dated 16th March, 2024. Accordingly, the Notification for 3rd Phase was issued on 12th April, 2024 and the Poll Day was scheduled on 7th May, 2024”.
The press note further reads, “Various representations have been received from different political parties of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir for shifting the date of poll of election from 3-Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency (PC) of Jammu & Kashmir, due to various logistic, communication and natural barrier of connectivity turning out as hindrance in campaigning which in turn tantamount to lack of fair opportunities for the contesting candidates in the said Parliamentary Constituency which may affect poll process.
“The Commission, after considering report from UT administration as well as analyzing the ground situation prevailing in the said constituency, has decided under Section 56 of Representation of People Act, 1951, to revise the date of poll in the said Parliamentary Constituency in respect of ongoing General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024, as follows”, the press note ends.
Earlier date of Poll-Anantnag-Rajouri 7th May, 2024 (Tuesday).
Revised Date of Poll Phase-3 of polling of Anantnag-Rajoruri 25th May, 2024 (Saturday) (Phase-6).
However, the opposition parties earlier in the valley have raised eye brows over the possibility of date change of polling date and urged the ECI to conduct the polling on the scheduled date else they will allege it is as rigging of elections.
