CEO holds All-Party meet, forwards report to ECI

Srinagar/April,8: Chief Electoral Officer, J&K Shantmanu Monday held an all party meeting on the issue of holding bye-elections to Anantnag Parliamentary constituency and discussed issues related to bye-polls held in Srinagar including re-poll at various polling stations affected by violence. The meeting was attended by representatives of PDP, BJP, Congress, NC, other mainstream political and some independents.
Sources while disclosing this to Kashmir Horizon revealed that Chief Electoral Officer Shantmanu discussed at length the proposal for re-poll at various polling stations where polling was affected by violence on Sunday last. PDP’s Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra told CEO that re-poll can be held at such polling stations as may be deemed necessary for by the electoral authorities. While National Conference represented by Senior leaders Akbar Lone,Ali Mohammad Sagar, Nasir Aslam Wani and Ishaq Qadri and Congress by sitting legislators by Usman Majid and G N Monga opposed demand for repoll in Srinagar areas, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pressed hard for repoll in some Srinagar areas where polling was disturbed by violence and deferment of bye polls in Anantnag parliamentary constituency.PDP leaders present at the meeting told the Chief Electoral Officer that the party has already made the stand clear and in a press conference held this morning. The leaders of ruling party conveyed to CEO that PDP reiterates that postponement of the bye-polls in Anantnag parliamentary constituency in view of prevailing situation.
Earlier in the day the Chief Election Commissioner reviewed the situation in a meeting with CEO and the local administration through videoconference.
Chief Electoral Officer is submitting a detailed report to ECI this evening pursuant to proceedings of all party meeting based on which a decision is expected by today.