JAMMU : The Election Commission today issued notification for the first of the five phases of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls.
In the first phase due on November 25, polls will be held in 15 Assembly segments spread across seven districts of Bandipora, Ganderbal in Kashmir Valley, Kargil, Leh of Ladakh region, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban of Jammu region.
“As recommended by ECI in pursuance of Sub-section (2) of Section 27 of the said Act, the Governor of the State of J&K is hereby pleased to call upon the 15 Assembly constituencies in the State, to elect members to the Legislative Assembly in accordance with the provision of Act,” J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Umang Narula said in the notification.
The last date for candidates to file their nominations is November 5. The scrutiny of nomination papers would be held on November 7 while the last date for withdrawal of nomination is on November 10, J&K Deputy CEO, Rakesh Kumar Srangal said.
He further stated that the date of counting of votes has been fixed for 23 December this year.
“ECI has fixed 0800 hours to 1600 hours as hours during which the poll shall, be taken in each constituency on the specified date,” Srangal said.
The EC on Saturday decided to go ahead with holding Assembly polls in the state devastated by last month’s floods and announced a five-phased election schedule to be held on November 25, December 2, 9, 14 and 20.
The State Government has sought 565 companies of security personnel to ensure smooth elections.
In the first phase, the Assembly constituencies of Gurez, Bandipora, Sonawari, Kangan, Ganderbal, Nobra, Leh, Kargil, Zanskar, Kishtwar, Inderwal, Doda, Bhaderwah, Ramban and Banihal.
Congress and NC had bagged seven seats each while PDP took one seat in 2008 Assembly polls.
Nine each assembly seats in Kashmir and Jammu regions will be going to polls in the second phase on December two. Of these, maximum of six are in Udhampur, five in Baramulla, four in Anantnag and three in Jammu.
The notification for the second phase will be issued on November seven with date of polling December two.
The third phase, for which polling will be held on December 9, will cover remaining seven seats of Baramulla Parliamentary constituency, five seats in Budgam of central Kashmir and four from Anantnag.
The current six-year term of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly ends on January 19. Political parties too have started gearing up for the elections.
Chief Electoral Officer , Umang Narulla, briefed the recognised political parties of the state on various issues regarding elections and sought their cooperation to implement the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct. He also drew their attention to the latest guidelines of Election Commission of India on party manifestos and requested them to furnish a copy for further submission to the poll regulator.
He emphasised that the manifestos have to be consistent with the letter and spirit of other provisions of the MCC and should not contain anything repugnant to the ideals and principles enshrined in the Constitution.
Furthermore, the political parties were advised to avoid making those promises which are likely to vitiate the purity of the election process or exert undue influence on the voters in exercising their franchise.
Also, it is expected that manifestos reflect the rationale for the promises and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirements for it.
Mr Narulla briefed the parties regarding the applicability of the expenditure monitoring guidelines. It was emphasised that in the case of J&K Assembly election the expenditure of candidates will be reckoned from the date of notification of the elections. He urged that all candidates should open a separate bank account for this purpose and drew attention of the parties to the public notice given in this regard.
The CEO also requested all the recognised and unrecognised political parties to submit list of their Star Campaigners to the CEO as per the provisions of the J&K Representation of the People Act, 1957.
He requested the parties to obtain permits of those vehicles which will be used by them for campaigning. The CEO impressed upon the parties to seek certification of political advertisements in the electronic media from either the District Level Media Certification & Monitoring Committee or the State Level Media Certification & Monitoring Committee. He drew their attention to the fact that the ECI has laid special emphasis on monitoring paid news and that the revised comprehensive instructions are available on the Commission website.
(AGENCIES)
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