Over 17.47 lakh voters to decide fate of 24 candidates on Monday; triangular contest on cards as poll body sets up 2135 polling stations in 18 assembly segments across 5 Kashmir districts
SRINAGAR: The culmination of campaigning in the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency signs the onset of an electoral battle in the fourth phase of 18th Lok Sabha polls, slated to be held on May 13 (Monday), marked by the perennial rivalry between National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the campaigning has come to an end today while the authorities have declared ‘Dry Day’ in Srinagar from this evening.
Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, who is the Returning Officer (RO) for Srinagar PC has declared “Dry Day” in Srinagar from 6:00pm on May 11, 2024 till 6:00pm on May 13, 2024 in wake the scheduled Polling in the Constituency.
In this regard, an order has been issued by the District Magistrate stating that “In light of the ECI election schedule District Srinagar is going to Polls for Lok Sabha Elections-2024 on May 13, 2024, ‘Dry Day’ is declared from 6.00pm on 11/05/2024 till 13/05/2024” in the district.
“Accordingly, all Liquor shops, Bars, eating house etc will be shut during the said period and No liquor will also be served in Hotels, Clubs and other Establishments,”, the order further reads.
Meanwhile, a total of 17,47,810 voters are going to decide the fate of 24 candidates by casting their ballots in around 2135 polling stations across five districts of Kashmir. The polling will take place in 18 assembly segments on Monday from morning 07:00AM to evening 06:00 PM in Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal and Shopian.
As per the details available with KNO, more than two lakh electorates are the first-time voters. Of total 17.47 lakh voters, 8,75,938 are male and 8,71,808 are female electorates and 64 third gender voters. As per the data, there are around 11,682 persons with disability and 705 persons above the age of 100 years
As the stage is set for the voting, the poll body has made an arrangement of four election staff at every polling station, thereby over 8,500 polling staff, including reserve, will be deployed on the duty for polling in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency.
Around 20 polling booths across the constituency will be managed by the women, known as pink polling stations while 18 others will be managed by specially-abled persons.
The voters will have their valid identity proof like Aadhar Card, MGNREGA Job Card, Passbook with photograph issued by Bank or Post Office, driving license or other cards along.
As per the details, more than 600 journalists and cameramen of print, electronic and social media platforms have been provided with Pass to cover the polling.
While the tough contest is expected in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, the major battle is expected between the three candidates, who are fighting on the tickets of NC, PDP and Syed Altaf Bukhari led Apni Party.
NC has fielded Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi while PDP has chosen a young face, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra and Apni Party has fielded Muhammad Ashraf Wani as the party’s candidate from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency.
All the three parties and candidates have many areas as their strong hold, thereby paving a way for the tight contest on May 13.
During the ongoing elections, Srinagar’s downtown areas witnessed political rallies for the first time in the last several decades as the people were seen enthusiastic and keen during the political activities in these areas.
Notably, Apni Party has also got the support of former legislator Ishfaq Jabbar led party in Ganderbal, which is expected to give a further push to the party candidate in this election.