Unprecedented security arrangements made for 2nd-phase polling in Anantnag PC

Kulgam: All arrangements, including three-tier security, have been made for conducting free, fair and peaceful polls in the second of three phase polling on Monday in Anantnag parliamentary constituency.
The Assembly constituencies going to polls on Monday are Noorabad, Kulgam, Homshalibug and Devsar of district Kulgam in the Anantnag constituency spread over four district in south Kashmir, where 13.93 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister and President of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief G A Mir, and Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi and BJP Mohammad Yousuf.
In the first phase, election was held on April 23 in Anantnag district which witnessed a voter turnout of 14 per cent. Meanwhile, voters will exercise their franchise on May 6 in Shopian and Pulwama districts in third and last phase of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency.
The Election Commission (EC) has already reduced the polling by two hours in the constituency. The polling will be held between 0700 hrs and 1600 hrs for security reasons.
An official told UNI that all arrangements, including three-tire security, have been put in place for conducting the elections in secure and peaceful manner.
“433 polling parties, comprising of 1732 polling personnel and 62 Micro-Observers, along with poll material, EVMs/VVPAT machines were dispatched on Sunday for different polling stations of four Assembly constituencies,” he said, adding a total number of 3,44,244 electorates, including 7,778 migrant voters, are eligible to vote on Monday.
District Election Officer (DEO), Kulgam Dr Shameem Ahmad Wani said that a total of 1732 polling personnel have been dispatched for all polling stations of all four Assembly constituencies of district for smooth conduct of elections.
“Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) for polling stations with regard to power supply, furniture, water supply and other required facilities have been put in place, he said, adding that the ramp facilities have also been ensured at the polling stations.
The campaigning, which came to an end Saturday evening, witnessed some militant attacks, including grenade attacks, firing on a vehicle carrying poll material, besides stone pelting in south Kashmir.
Kulgam Assembly segment has the highest number of 98,298 voters, including 455 service voters and 4 transgender voters) while as Noorabad has the lowest 77,171 electors, including 188 service voters and 4 transgender voters.
Assembly segment of Devsar has 91,288 voters, including 492 service voters and five transgender voters, and HS Bugh segment has 78,669 voters including 127 service voters).
He said besides state police, Central Paramilitary Force (CPMF) personnel in strength have been deployed at polling stations to provide a secure atmosphere to voters to cast their ballots. Besides, security forces already engaged in anti militancy operations would be there to prevent any violent incident.