EC seeks immediate report from CS, CEO

Rescheduling Anantnag election

*9 parties, candidates submit representation

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Apr 25: In a significant development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought a report from Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Pole on road conditions, weather and accessibility related constraints on Anantnag-Poonch-Rajouri (APR) Parliamentary constituency which is scheduled to go to polls in third phase on May 7.

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The ECI sought report following representations submitted by political parties and three candidates seeking rescheduling of election on APR Parliamentary constituency due to adverse weather conditions including snowfall on Mughal Road and Pir Ki Gali.

In a communication addressed to the Chief Secretary and the CEO J&K, the ECI has sought a detailed report immediately on road conditions, weather and accessibility related constraints besides any other relevant points mentioned in the representations.

The representations have been submitted separately by Ravinder Raina, UT BJP chief, Imran Reza Ansari (People's Conference), Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari (Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party), J&K Nationalist People's Front, Apni Party, Advocate Mohammad Saleem Parray, Ali Mohammad Wani and Arsheed Ali Lone, both Independent candidates.

The Election Commission has also called for detailed report from the Secretary R&B, Chief Engineer Pir Panjal, Chief Engineer Mechanical J&K on the road conditions and traffic related information from the Deputy Commissioner Poonch.

As per the representations, a total of 25 candidates filed their nomination papers, four of which were rejected leaving 21 in the fray. Of them, only two are three are from Rajouri and Poonch districts and rest from South Kashmir.

One of the representations mentioned that the candidates from Rajouri and Poonch couldn't file their nomination papers due to closure of Mughal Road in view of snowfall as they couldn't reach Anantnag where the Returning Officer of the constituency sits.

The representations also highlighted difficulties faced by the candidates in campaigning due to weather conditions and closure of Mughal Road which connects South Kashmir including Anantnag with Poonch and Rajouri districts.

Prominent candidates in fray from Anantnag include PDP chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, former Minister Mian Altaf (National Conference), Zaffar Manhas (Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party) and Advocate Mohammad Parray (DPAP).

The BJP hasn't fielded any candidate in Anantnag constituency but there are reports that if the election is rescheduled, the party may join the fray now.

Earlier, BJP UT chief Ravinder Raina was stated to be the frontrunner as the party nominee.

Nomination for the seat had opened on April 12 while April 19 was last date for filing of the papers. Polling is scheduled in third phase on May 7.