Jammu, Apr 30: Election Commission of India (ECI) Tuesday rescheduled the date of poll in Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency (PC) of Jammu & Kashmir to May 25, 2024, in phase six.
As per earlier notified date by ECI, the election was scheduled to take place in this Parliamentary Constituency in the third phase on May 7, 2024.
Explaining the direction of ECI, J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole when contacted by Greater Kashmir, said, “Only poll date has been rescheduled. There is no change in other things.”
Does it mean no new poll notification will be issued? Responding to this question, the CEO said, “Yes, that is correct. Contesting candidates will remain unchanged. No new candidate will be allowed; only existing candidates will remain in the poll fray. Only the date (of poll) has been revised and rest everything will be as per notification issued earlier.”
The decision to revise poll-date has been taken by the ECI, under Section 56 of Representation of People Act, 1951, after “considering report from J&K Union Territory (UT) administration as well as analyzing the ground situation prevailing” in the constituency.
ECI, in a communiqué to J&K Chief Secretary (CS) Atal Dulloo and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole on April 25, had sought a detailed report on road conditions, weather, accessibility related constraints and other relevant points raised in representations received (by ECI) from different political parties, candidates and individuals, seeking rescheduling of poll date.
Main contention in the representations (received by ECI) was that date of election should be rescheduled in constituency as various logistic, communication and natural barrier of connectivity had become a “hindrance in campaigning which would tantamount to lack of fair opportunities for the contesting candidates and it might affect poll process.” Reference was to the closure of Mughal Road, which links Rajouri-Poonch (in Jammu region) to Anantnag (in Kashmir region).
The statement issued this evening mentioned that the ECI had announced the schedule for General Election to the Lok Sabha vide its press note dated March 16, 2024.
“Accordingly, the notification for 3rd phase was issued on April 12, 2024 and the poll day was scheduled on May 7, 2024. However 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 ECI statement read.
It added, “The Commission, after considering report from UT administration as well as analyzing the ground situation prevailing in the 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 per revised schedule, the date of poll in this constituency will be May 25, 2024 (Saturday) (phase 6) instead of earlier notified date of poll i.e., May 7, 2024 (Tuesday) (phase-3).
Along with its communiqué to the J&K Chief Secretary and CEO, ECI had forwarded eight representations received from Imran Reza Ansari of J&K People’s Conference; Ravinder Raina, J&K BJP president; Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, president J&K Apni Party; J&K Nationalist People’s Front; Apni Party; Advocate Mohammad Saleem Parray; Ali Mohammad Wani (independent candidate) and Arsheed Ali Lone (independent candidate).
“A detailed report on road conditions, weather and accessibility related constraints shall be furnished, apart from a report on any other relevant points as contained in the representations or otherwise, to the Commission immediately,” ECI had directed in its communiqué.
As per the direction, the detailed report containing all the information including traffic related information (day-wise since April 1 on Mughal road) was sent to ECI.
Before sending the report, DC Anantnag, who is Returning Officer for this constituency, had sought to elicit opinions from all candidates and their parties through a meeting. Statements of those who attended the meeting too formed part of the report submitted to ECI.
National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party were the major parties (whose candidates were in poll fray) which had opposed demands for rescheduling of poll date.
Notably, presently Mughal road, due to persisting inclement weather conditions, is closed for all kind of vehicular movement Among 21 candidates in fray included PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti; senior NC leader and former minister Mian Altaf; Zafar Iqbal Manhas of J&K Apni Party and advocate Mohammad Saleem Parray of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).
Both national parties viz., Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have not fielded their candidates. While Congress is supporting the candidature of Mian Altaf, being part of I.N.D.I.Alliance with NC, BJP has announced to extend its support to a candidate of “a nationalist political party.”
However, the party, so far, has not clarified as to which “nationalist party’s candidate” it will support.
Another interesting aspect is PDP is also part of I.N.D.I.Alliance yet Congress has announced to support NC candidate.