Baramulla, May 18: The campaigning for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency drew to a close on Saturday evening, paving the way for a crucial electoral battle on May 20.
Authorities in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts implemented strict measures, including prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, to ensure a smooth and peaceful polling process.
The restrictions, effective from 6 pm on Saturday (May 18) until 6 pm on Monday (May 20), prohibit unlawful assemblies, processions, rallies, and public meetings related to the elections.
This move aims to provide the 17,37,865 eligible voters with an environment free from campaigning influences before they exercise their democratic rights.
The high-stakes contest in Baramulla has attracted a diverse array of 22 candidates from various political parties and independent groups.
Among the prominent contenders are National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone, Independent Candidate Engineer Rashid, and Muhammad Fayaz Mir of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“A total of 17,37,8865 voters have been enrolled in phase five, including 8,75,831 male and 8,62,000 female voters besides 34 third gender electorates. There are around 17,128 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and 527 persons above the age of 100 years who will also be exercising their franchise,” read a communiqué received from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K.
Addressing the media persons, the Returning Officer (RO) for Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, Minga Sherpa said that improved security situations, no hartal call and boycott call would pave the way for historic voting numbers in the elections.
He said that active political campaigning mobilised people on the ground and initiatives taken under SVEEP would lead to huge voting numbers.
“There are eight such stations where either there is a weak network connectivity or not available which include six in Uri and two in Rafiabad. All these polling stations will be connected with wireless communication,” Sherpa said.
He said that they had specific plans ready given the weather predictions.
“We have kept more than 20-25 machinery including JCBs on standby to ensure all the polling parties reach their stations,” Sherpa said.
He said that 2103 polling stations in Baramulla parliamentary constituency including 905 polling booths set up across 722 locations in Baramulla district had been declared as critical stations.
All the 2103 polling stations of the Baramulla parliamentary constituency would have CCTV cameras for live webcasting in total 4206 cameras and 50 additional CCTV cameras at the main entrances of the polling stations.
“Security arrangements are intact across the Baramulla parliament constituency to ensure smooth polling. More than 200 additional CAPF companies have been deployed by Police in Baramulla and Sopore in all the polling stations,” Sherpa said.
He said that over 40,000 first-time voters were expected to exercise their right to franchise on the day of voting.
Notably, the Baramulla parliamentary constituency has 18 assembly segments including six in Kupwara – Karnah, Trehgam, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, and Langate.
Baramulla district has seven assembly segments – Sopore, Rafiabad, Uri, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Wagoora-Kreeri, and Pattan.
In Bandipora district, it has three assembly segments – Sonwari, Bandipora, and Gurez (ST).
Two assembly segments of Budgam district also fall in Baramulla post delimitation.
Baramulla district has 7.5 lakh voters.
“We are expecting the historic voter turnout in Baramulla as witnessed in the Srinagar parliament segment. Security situations have improved by and large,” he said.
Sherpa said that around 18 pink polling booths had been set up in the constituency which would be managed by women while 17 polling booths would be manned by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and 18 by youth.
“There will be 21 green polling stations to spread the message about environmental concerns. The purpose behind these special polling stations is to spread awareness among the sections of the society like women, PwDs, first-time and young voters to come forward and exercise their right to vote,” an official communication read.
Sherpa said that the entire election process remains challenging, however, with the good cooperation and collaboration of the political parties and candidates, the campaigning process remained peaceful.
“There was no such incident of confrontation between the parties or groups during the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) period. I extend my regards to all for carrying out a disciplined election campaign in good spirit,” he said.
Sherpa said that there were only two to three MCC violation issues which were taken care of and notices were issued which were replied to as well.
As per the official communication issued by the CEO J&K, voting would take place from 7 am to 6 pm.
“The voting will continue even after 6 pm if the voter queue is still there on the polling station premises,” it read.