Anantnag bypoll cancelled: EC

The Election Commission has cancelled the byelection in Anantag in Jammu and Kashmir, which was scheduled to be held on May 25, citing the prevalent law and order situation in the state, which it said was not conducive to the holding of polls.

In a 10-page order late on Monday night, the EC said that it was informed by state government officials that the situation in the area “is not good, the overall situation is scary and not very conducive (to the holding of polls”.

The bypoll, earlier slated to be held on April 12, was postponed for May 25 due to poor law and order situation. The EC order said that a fresh date would be announced later.

According to highlyplaced sources in the commission, the poll body had sought from the Union home ministry around 740 companies of paramilitary personnel to be deployed during the bypolls. However, the home ministry had said that it could only provide

The Election Commission said that it was informed by Jammu and Kashmir officials that the situation in the area “is not good, the overall situation is scary and not very conducive (to the holding of polls”

around 300. A company usually has around 100 troopers.

The entire valley has witnessed a surge in incidents of stone pelting. Clashes have also been taking place between groups of students from colleges and schools and the police.

The Union government has recently ruled out talks with separatists.

After examining all aspects, the commission found that there had been no “marked improvement” in the law and order situation after April 10, when the EC deferred the byelection.

The order said that on the contrary, reports pointed out that a further and continuous deterioration in the situation.