ECI reschedules polling date of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag-Rajouri seat to May 25

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the rescheduling of the polling date for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat in Jammu and Kashmir from May 7 to May 25, 2024.

This decision follows careful consideration of a report from the Union Territory administration and an assessment of the ground situation.

According to a statement released by the poll body, various political parties in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir have submitted representations requesting a change in the polling date for the 3-Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency. They cited logistical challenges, communication barriers, and natural obstacles to connectivity, which have hindered campaigning efforts and could potentially limit fair opportunities for contesting candidates.

The Election Commission, after reviewing the UT administration’s report and evaluating the prevailing conditions in the constituency, invoked Section 56 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, to revise the polling date for the ongoing General Election to the Lok Sabha, 2024.

In 2019, polling for the Lok Sabha was conducted for six seats in Jammu and Kashmir. However, with the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent division of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh – there is no longer a separate Lok Sabha constituency for Ladakh.

(With ANI inputs)