Srinagar, Apr 18: Returning Officer (RO), 2-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat Thursday issued election notification for the Lok Sabha Polls-2024 in the Srinagar constituency comprising 18 assembly segments of Ganderbal, Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, and Shopian districts. The nomination papers can be filed by contesting candidates or their proposers before the Returning Officer (Deputy Commissioner) or Assistant Returning Officer (Additional Deputy Commissioner-M) at Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Srinagar between 11 am to 3 pm on any day (other than public holiday) no later than April 25, 2024 (Thursday).
The scrutiny of the nomination papers filed by the candidates will take place on April 26, 2024 (Friday) at 10:30 am at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Srinagar.
The candidates have the option to withdraw their candidature by or before April 29, 2024 (Monday) until 3 pm.
The polling day for the 2-Srinagar parliamentary constituency is scheduled for May 13, 2024 (Monday) and the polling would be conducted from 7 am to 6 pm.
Later, in a news conference addressed in this regard, the Returning Officer (RO) 2-Srinagar parliamentary constituency, Bhat said that 17,43,845 registered electorates are exercising their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency including 8,73,426 male, 8,70,368 female, and about 51 transgenders.
The RO said that the Srinagar parliamentary constituency comprises 2 assembly segments of Ganderbal district including 17-Kangan and 18-Ganderbal, eight assembly segments of Srinagar including 19-Hazratbal, 20-Khanyar, 21-Habba Kadal, 22-Lal Chowk, 23-Chanapora, 24-Zadibal, 25-Eidgah, 26-Central Shalteng, three assembly segments of Budgam district including 29-Khan Sahab, 30-Charar-e-Sharief, and 31-Chadoora, four assembly segments of Pulwama district including 32-Pampore, 33-Tral, 34-Pulwama, and 35-Rajpora and one assembly segment of Shopian district – 37-Shopian.
Bhat said that 2135 polling stations had been set up at 1323 designated locations across all 18 assembly segments of the 2-Srinagar parliamentary constituency including 260 polling stations in two assembly segments of Ganderbal, 929 polling stations in eight assembly segments of Srinagar, 345 in three assembly segments of Budgam, 479 polling stations in four assembly segments of Pulwama district and 122 polling stations in one assembly segments of Shopian.
The RO said that the model polling stations had also been set up at various locations across the parliamentary constituency to facilitate the voters on the poll day and welcome them to experience a festive-like environment.
He said that dedicated facilities for voters including clean drinking water and ramps for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were also meticulously arranged to enhance the voting experience.
The RO urged all eligible contesting candidates and stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines of ECI and the election schedule and procedures outlined in the election notification.
He also appealed for the active participation and cooperation of all concerned parties to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election in the 2-Srinagar parliamentary constituency.
The RO emphasised the encouragement of first-time voters so that they exercise their democratic rights and make the poll process more participative. He said that the 2-Srinagar parliamentary constituency has more than 2 lakh first-time voters in the 18-20 age group who are eligible to vote in the Lok Sabha polls on May 13 in the constituency.