Byelections to 2 LS seats next month

Polling in Srinagar, Anantnag on April 9, 12; model code of conduct comes into force

The Election Commission of India today announced the schedule for holding by elections to the Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha constituencies in the Kashmir valley next month.
The polling will be held for the Srinagar seat on April 9 and for the Anantnag constituency on April 12. The counting of votes will take place on April 15, and the election process will be over by April 16.The elections are being held following the resignation of two PDP members, including Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, from the Lok Sabha last year.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the model code of conduct comes into force with immediate effect in the districts that come under the parliamentary constituencies going to the by elections.
The Anantnag constituency of south Kashmir comprises four districts Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian. The seat fell vacant following the resignation of PDP MP Mehbooba Mufti on July 4 last year.
She resigned upon being elected to the state Assembly from the Anantnag (Assembly) constituency after she had taken over as Chief Minister following the death of her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7 last year.
The Srinagar Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after the resignation of PDP member Tariq Hameed Karra in September last year due to his differences with the party over its alliance with the BJP and alleged mishandling of the unrest last year.
Meanwhile, the bypoll announcement brought in mixed reactions from the mainstream parties. “We hope people will take part in the byelections with enthusiasm. The exercise would contribute to the strengthening of institutions in the state,” said senior PDP leader Nizamuddin Bhat.
The Congress, however, said it had its fingers crossed over the participation of people in the elections. “It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that people will participate in the elections in such an (insecure) atmosphere, particularly in south Kashmir,” said Usman Majeed, general secretary of the state Congress and Bandipore MLA.
National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said the matter would be taken up at the meetings at various levels of the party. “It is too early to say anything as yet,” Sagar told Kashmir Post.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police SP Vaid said, “We are on the job to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.”
The Valley, particularly its southern parts, have been witnessing large-scale violence since the killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 last year.