Srinagar, May 18: As the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is scheduled for May 20, the government has declared dry days in north Kashmir districts starting from 6 PM today.
Additionally, for the fifth phase, schools have been closed in constituencies where polling is taking place. Some private and government offices are also closed.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process in the Kupwara Parliamentary Constituency, the District Magistrate (Deputy Commissioner) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan, has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC throughout the district. The order, effective from 6:00 PM on May 18 (Saturday) until 6:00 PM on May 20 (Monday), marks the end of the campaigning period and the start of the silence period.
Similar restrictions have been imposed in the districts of Baramulla, Bandipora, and Budgam by their respective District Magistrates. The prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC are in effect to maintain order and uphold democratic principles during the polling period.
These measures and the close electoral contest underscore the significance of this phase of the elections, as the region prepares for polling day under tight security and strict regulations.
This election phase sees 22 candidates in the fray, including prominent figures such as former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah, former minister and Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman Sajjad Gani Lone, former Rajya Sabha member and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mir Fayaz, and former Member of Legislative Assembly Engineer Rasheed. Other notable candidates include Nationalist Peoples Front candidate Muneer Ahmad Khan, who is the brother of separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, and two independent female candidates, Suraiya Nissar and Shafeeqa Begum.
Historically, the Baramulla constituency has been dominated by NC candidates, who have won 10 out of the 15 parliamentary elections held from 1957 to 2019. Congress has won four times, and the PDP once. This year, a close fight is anticipated between NC, and Sajjad Gani Lone.
DGP RR Swain visits Karnah
Reviews security preparedness ahead of upcoming elections
Kupwara, May 18 :Director General of Police (DGP) J&K, R.R. Swain, IPS, accompanied by ADGP L&O J&K, Vijay Kumar, IPS, DIG NKR, Vivek Gupta, IPS, and SSP Kupwara, Shobhit Saksena, IPS, visited border area Karnah for a comprehensive general and operational overview of the security arrangements in place for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
During the visit, DGP Swain reviewed the security preparations to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process. DGP assessed the deployment strategies and discussed measures to address potential challenges in maintaining law and order during the elections.
As part of the visit, DGP R.R Swain held a Darbar at Police Post Teetwal with the police personnel stationed there. He interacted with the officers and jawans, listening to their concerns and boosting their morale.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir RR Swain on Saturday visited Sharda Temple at Line of Control Teetwal . This was the first visit of the present DGP to LoC. He was accompanied by ADGP Vijay Kumar, DIG Vivek Gupta, SSP Shobhit Saxena and other police officials. He was received at the temple by Committee members Ajaz Khan and S. Joginder Singh. DGP offered prayers at the temple. Chairman of Save Sharda committee hailed the visit of DGP. Earlier in 2022 former DGP Dilbagh Singh had also visited Sharda Temple when it was under construction. “I thank the DGP for appreciating our efforts”, chairman of save Sharda committee, Ravinder Pandita said. Ms Sapna kotwal Nodal officer media was also present with DGP.
DGP was greeted with Sharda shawl and was presented with a copy of a book on Sharda authored by Ravinder Pandita on the occasion.
