Srinagar, Anantnag Lok Sabha bypoll on Apr 9, 12

JAMMU: The much-awaited bypolls to the two Lok Sabha constituencies of Srinagar and Anantnag will be held on April 9 and April 12 respectively, the election commission announced on Thursday.

Talking to Hindustan Times, state chief electoral officer Shantmanu said, “Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, comprising three districts, will go to polls on April 9, followed by Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, comprising four districts, on April 12.”

He added that counting of votes for both the constituencies will take place on April 15.

“The model code of conduct, imposed on Thursday, will remain in place till April 16. We had already extended the period by six months because of the scenario in Kashmir,” said Shantmanu. There are a total of 26 lakh voters in the two constituencies for which 3,190 polling stations will be set up, he added. The CEO said to ensure hassle-free polling, additional companies of security forces will be deployed.

Shantmanu informed that he will brief the Election Commission of India on Friday about the entire exercise. Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had fallen vacant in June last year after its member Mehbooba Mufti was elected to the legislative assembly from Anantnag assembly seat.

Srinagar seat had fallen vacant after former PDP leader Tariq Hamid Karra resigned from the PDP as well as Lok Sabha in protest against the party’s alliance with the BJP to form the government and unleashing “brutalities” on Kashmiri protesters last year following the death of Hizb-ul ultra Burhan Wani.Karra recently joined the Congress.

Following bypolls to the two LS seats, the state also has to conduct panchayat polls this year.