ECI reschedules Anantnag-Rajouri PC poll date to May 25

Srinagar, Apr 30: In a latest development, The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday rescheduled the polling date for the AnantnagRajouri parliamentary seat from May 7th to May 25th.
The decision came days after a number of political parties and candidates appealed to the ECI to defer the polls for this particular seat, citing adverse weather conditions and connectivity issues.
The major parties in favor of deferring the poll date for this seat were the BhartiyaJanata Party (BJP), Apni Party, and the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) led by GhulamNabi Azad, among others including independent candidates.
However, the major political parties, including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and M Y Tarigami of JK CPIM, criticized the rescheduling of the polls, terming it a conspiracy to favor a particular party.
According to a statement from the Election Commission of India, the ECI had announced the schedule for General Election to the LokSabhavide its Press Note dated 16th March, 2024. Accordingly, the Notification for 3rd Phase was issued on 12th April, 2024 and the Poll Day was scheduled on 7th May, 2024.
“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 statement said.
The statement further reads that the Commission, after considering report from UT administration as well as analyzing the ground situation prevailing in the said 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 LokSabha, 2024, from May 7th to the May 25th.