Notification issued for first phase of elections

Srinagar, August 20

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued notification for the first phase of the three-phased Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir in which 24 segments will go to polls on September 18.

With the issuance of the notification, the nomination process for the candidates has started.

The last date for making nominations for the first phase is August 27, while the scrutiny of the nominations will take place on August 28. The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is August 30 and the date of poll is September 18.

In the first phase, 16 Assembly segments in the Valley that are in south Kashmir and eight in Jammu region will go to polls. The seats are Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, and Pahalgam in the Kashmir Valley.

Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal will go to polls in Jammu region.

Meanwhile, a day after a CRPF inspector was killed in an attack in Jammu’s Udhampur, J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday held a meeting with top civil administration and Police department officials to take stock of the security arrangements for smooth conduct of Assembly elections.

According to the spokesperson, besides the J&K DGP and Principal Secretary, Home, the meeting was also attended by Special DGP and other senior officers.

At the meeting, the Chief Secretary impressed upon the officials to make robust arrangements for additional companies of CAPFs required in each district, officials said, adding that he asked for identification of feasible locations for camping these security forces, which are amenable in terms of basic amenities.

Dulloo also sensitised the officials to look into the security and accommodation of contesting candidates. He advised for “making adequate arrangements for such protected persons along with other requirements for their campaigning and electioneering.”

The Chief Secretary also asked the Transport Department to make a prior roadmap in collaboration with the respective districts for making available the requisite number of buses and other vehicles for ferrying polling staff, security forces and other poll materials. The respective Divisional Commissioners were asked to personally monitor these activities.

Dates to remember

The last date for making nominations for the first phase is August 27, while the scrutiny of the nominations will take place on August 28. The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is August 30 and the date of poll is September 18.