NEW DELHI: The bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat is set to be delayed till March next year as the Election Commission has concurred with a report of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer that early winters and law and order situation in the area are not conducive to hold the electoral exercise now.
State Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had resigned from the seat on July 4 to contest the Anantnag assembly bypoll, a seat which fell vacant following the demise of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The Election Commission is mandated to hold bypolls within six months of the seat falling vacant. But that six month period ends on January 4.
As deferring polls or bypolls beyond six months is beyond the mandate of the Commission, it has now, under Section 151 A of the Representation of the People Act, certified to the Law Ministry that it has difficulties in holding the bypolls.
Now, the Legislative Department in the Law Ministry will issue a notification in this regard shortly, sources in the Government said. (AGENCIES)
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