Srinagar, April 10 (KNS): Citing law and order situation, the Election Commission of India Monday evening deferred the by-polls in Anantnag parliamentary constituency scheduled on Wednesday.
In an order issued yesterday, the ECI said that the state government submitted a report that the law and order situation prevailing in the said 3 -Anantnag parliamentary constituency is not conducive to the holding of free and fair poll in the constituency on 12 April.
The ECI said that the state Administration has also expressed apprehension that there may be violent attempts by some miscreant elements to thwart the polling process in the constituency in view of the violent incidents that have taken place in some parts of the 2-srinagar parliamentary constituency where the poll was taken on the April 9 resulting in some causalities and loss of life.
On Monday, PDP had appealed the ECI to postpone the by-polls, however, the opposition Congress candidate, G A Mir, had called the appeal meaningless.
Eight civilian youths were killed by forces in Budgam and Ganderbal on polling day in Srinagar parliamentary constituency during clashes and protests against holding elections. The voter turnout in the constituency was over 7 percent.
Talking to KNS, the chief electoral Officer, JK, Shantmanu, said that the by-polls have been postponed toMay 25.
He said that re-poll will be held in 38 polling booths in Srinagar parliamentary constituency where voting could not be held due to violence and killings of civilians.
On Monday Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee and NC-Congress joint candidate for Anantnag parliament constituency, G A Mir, had said that postponement of by-polls is meaningless and does not convey any sense when so much preparation and machinery has been put into it. (KNS)