All necessary arrangements in place for smooth voting: CEO
Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, May 24 : The Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency is all set for a crucial election tomorrow, with authorities ensuring all arrangements in place for the seamless conduct of the polls.
Polling parties have been dispatched to their respective stations under stringent security measures to ensure smooth and peaceful voting.
Chief Electoral Officer P. K. Pole said that all necessary arrangements, including comprehensive security protocols, have been made for the elections.
“We have made all the arrangements for the elections. The security has been readied in all the districts of the constituency, and we are expecting a good voter turnout in the region,” Pole stated as per the news agency KNS.
Initially scheduled for May 7, the election was postponed to May 25 by the Election Commission of India (ECI) following requests from various political parties.
Security personnel and polling staff are stationed across the five districts that comprise the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat: three in Kashmir (Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian) and two in Jammu (Poonch and Rajouri). The constituency includes 18 assembly segments, with the ECI establishing 2,338 polling stations to accommodate over 18.36 lakh voters.
The election features a triangular contest among three prominent candidates: Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Mian Altaf of the National Conference (NC); and Zaffar Manhas from the Apni Party.
Despite not fielding its own candidate, the BJP is indirectly backing Manhas, a Pahari leader, following the government’s recent grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Paharis and other groups.
This status has made the Pahari vote crucial, with major parties vying for their support.
The constituency is also heavily influenced by the Gujjar and Bakerwal Muslim communities, with Mian Altaf, an influential Gujjar leader, expected to draw substantial support.
Mehbooba Mufti, a former chief minister, is making a concerted effort to regain support in what was once a PDP stronghold. Historically, the NC won this seat in 2009 and 2019, while the PDP emerged victorious in 2004 and 2014.
Authorities have implemented extensive security measures to address the security challenges in the region.
Additional security forces have been deployed, especially in Rajouri and Poonch districts, which have recently witnessed terrorist activities.
Top officials from the Army, J&K Police, and security forces convened earlier this week to devise a strategy for peaceful polling in these sensitive areas.
To maintain uninterrupted communication with polling staff at remote booths, satellite phones and wireless sets have been provided. Among the 474 polling booths, 19 are located along the Line of Control, posing additional security challenges.
The fate of 20 candidates will be decided by 18,36,576 voters, including 9,33,647 male, 9,02,902 female, and 27 third-gender voters. The voter list also includes 17,967 persons with disabilities and 540 individuals over the age of 100.
With all arrangements in place and security heightened, authorities remain hopeful for a peaceful and successful election on May 25.(KNS)
