STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued election notification for the 2nd phase of the General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.
26 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in the districts of Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch shall go to polls in the second phase.
In Kashmir Division 15 Assembly Constituencies, comprising 17-Kangan (ST); 18-Ganderbal; 19-Hazratbal; 20-Khanyar; 21-Habbakadal; 22-Lal Chowk; 23-Channapora; 24-Zadibal; 25-Eidgah; 26-Central Shalteng; 27-Budgam; 28-Beerwah; 29-Khansahib; 30-Chrar-I-Sharief; 31-Chadoora; and in Jammu Division 11 Assembly Constituencies comprising 56-Gulabgarh (ST); 57-Reasi; 58-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi; 83-Kalakote- Sunderbani; 84-Nowshera; 85-Rajouri (ST); 86-Budhal (ST); 87- Thannamandi (ST); 88-Surankote (ST); 89-Poonch Haveli and 90-Mehdhar (ST) are scheduled to go to polls in the second phase of the electoral process.
As per the Notification, the last date for filing nominations is September 05, 2024 (Thursday). Scrutiny of the nomination papers shall take place on September 06, 2024 (Friday) and last date of withdrawal of candidature is September 09, 2024 (Monday).
The polling day for these Assembly constituencies is scheduled for September 25, 2024, (Wednesday) and the Polling will be conducted from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM, the notification reads.

Over 300 additional paramilitary companies to be deployed for J&K polls

JAMMU: Over 300 additional companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the three-phase assembly elections commencing from September 18 in the union territory, officials said on Thursday.
According to the officials, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Jammu-Kathua range, Shiv Kumar Sharma arrived at the Police Reception Centre (PRC) at Bari Brahmna Railway Station on Wednesday night to welcome the arriving forces.
DIG Sharma assessed the accommodation facilities for the paramilitary forces and briefed the officers on the sensitivity and importance of their duties, emphasising full cooperation with local police forces, the officials said. Accompanied by senior officers, the DIG also addressed concerns raised by the security personnel, assuring them of prompt resolution, they added. These paramilitary forces will be stationed across Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts to maintain security during the assembly elections in the union territory.

Draft Electoral Roll Extract for Kashmiri Migrants published

JAMMU: Taking further the ECI’s proactive approach to accommodate the needs of Kashmiri migrants and enhancing their electoral participation, the Jammu and Kashmir Election Department has published the draft electoral roll extracts of Kashmiri Migrants. Additionally, it has mapped the 19 Special Polling Stations in Jammu to the camps and zones individually, ensuring that every zone has at least one special polling station.
“Draft electoral roll extracts have been generated from actual Voter lists and published for information of Kashmiri Migrants to submit any claims of omission of names, or opting to vote at their original polling station in Kashmir valley or opting for voting through Postal ballot and 7 days’ time period has been given to furnish such claims,” the office of the J&K Chief Electoral Officer said in a statement.
These Draft electoral roll extracts without photographs prepared for the respective Zone/Special Polling Stations have been placed at all Zonal offices, as well as the office of Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), J&K, while the Kashmiri Migrant voters can also check them on the website www.jkmigrantrelief.nic.in.
Further, the electors can visit the website (ceo.jk.gov.in) of Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir UT for more details.
All the Electors figuring in the Draft Electoral Roll extract as well as those whose name does not figure in the draft electoral roll extract are hereby informed to approach Office of the Assistant Returning Officer, Migrants, Jammu or their respective Zonal Officers (Nodal Officers)/Booth Level Officers (BLO’s).
The Claims/Objections in writing as per the prescribed format must be submitted within 7 days of publication of this notification. The electors, can also call or whatsapp, Regarding any queries on 9484320655 and 948432065, the statement said.
Further, the process of mapping the Zones/Camps with 19 Special Polling Stations for Jammu has been completed, and is available on the website www.jkmigrantrelief.nic.in, as well at all Zonal offices, as well as the office of Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), J&K. Also, the Zonal Officers/Camp Commandants/BLOs have been designated as Nodal Officers for these 19 Special Polling Stations.
These steps follow the significant strides taken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as it introduced an inclusive and hassle-free scheme for Kashmiri migrants in exercising their right to franchise for the voters having their votes registered in Assembly Constituencies in Kashmir.
To make voting easier for Kashmiri migrants, the ECI has set up 19 special polling stations in Jammu along with 1 special polling station in Udhampur and 4 special polling stations in New Delhi. All these polling stations are aligned with the registered zones of residence for Kashmiri migrants.
Like the recent Lok Sabha Election, the ECI has also decided to do away with the cumbersome procedure of filling Form-M for the displaced people from Kashmir valley who are residing in Jammu and Udhampur in Assembly Election even as for the migrants residing outside Jammu and Udhampur who will continue to submit Form-M have been authorized to self-attest the certificate appended with Form-M, thus removing the hassle of getting this certificate attested by the Gazetted Officer.
Moreover, the continuation of the postal ballot facility through Form 12C ensures that all migrants, regardless of their place of residence, have the option to vote by postal ballot.