Campaigning ends, battle lines drawn
Srinagar, May 11: The stage is set for a high-stakes electoral battle in the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency as campaigning drew to a close on Saturday.
A total of 24 candidates are vying for the prized seat in these 18th Lok Sabha elections scheduled for Monday.
This election carries immense significance as it will be the first in the Kashmir Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The removal of the controversial constitutional provision has ushered in a new era for Jammu and Kashmir, putting an end to the separatist movement’s grip over the region’s politics.
In a stark departure from the past, there has been no interference from separatist quarters calling for an election boycott. Crucially, there are no threats of violence or stone-pelting either, a regular occurrence in previous polls in the Valley. The Central government’s decisive actions have managed to ensure a largely peaceful environment across J&K.
A total of 17.47 lakh voters are set to cast their ballots in 18 assembly segments in five districts of Kashmir, which include Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Shopian and Pulwama.
On the last day of the poll campaigning, the parties and their candidates were seen wooing the voters at multiple places including Zakura, and others where the large gatherings were witnessed and slogans in favour of their candidates were also raised on the occasion.
However, later in the day, the District Magistrate Srinagar, who is also the Returning Officer for Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-din issued prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC throughout the district.
According to the order issued from the Office of District Magistrate Srinagar, the restrictions have been imposed in District under Section 144 CrPC from 6:00 pm on May 11, 2024 (Saturday) till 6:00 pm on May 13, 2024 (Monday) in wake of the scheduled Polling in the District and to uphold the sanctity of democratic principles.
The order further reads that there shall be a ban on unlawful assembly as per section 144 of IPC and any procession or rally shall be prohibited to prevent any law and order problem, and no person shall convene, hold, attend, join or address any public meeting or procession with regard to the Elections.
As per the order, the instructions shal be imposed from 6.00pm on May 11(Saturday) till 6.00pm May 13, 2024 (Monday) in the district.
Meanwhile, with all the arrangements in place, the polling for 4th phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections is all set to commence on May 13 (Monday).
“A total of 17,47,810 lakh voters have been enrolled in phase IV, including 8,75,938 male and 8,71,808 female voters besides 64 third gender electorates. There are around 11682 Persons with Disability and 705 persons above the age of 100 years who will also be exercising their franchise,” read a communiqué from office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.
The communiqué adds that around 2,135 polling stations have been set up in the fourth phase across 5 districts of Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal and Shopian (37- Shopian).
The election staff including Presiding Officers will be stationed in every polling station. In total, more than 85,00 polling staff, including reserves, will be deployed on duty on the polling day.
The communication added that the voting will take place from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm and before that there will be a mock poll in the polling stations in presence of the polling agents. Also, the voting will continue even after 6.00 pm, if the voter’s queue is still there in the Polling Station premises to utilize their right to vote.
There will be 20 polling booths managed by women (also called as pink polling stations), 18 polling booths manned by specially-abled persons and 17 by youths.
Pertinently, more than 40 per cent Voting at Home for above 85 age and disability was held at doorsteps for all those applied.
Besides, more than 600 journalists and cameramen of print, electronic and social media platforms have been provided with pass to cover the polling process without compromising secrecy of vote and causing any inconvenience to the democratic exercise.
