EC puts off voting for Anantnag assembly seat by election to June 22

After communications from the state government, the Election Commission of India has postponed voting for Anantnag assembly seat by-election to June 22.

"Following requests by various political parties including the PDP, NC and the Congress, state chief secretary had written to the election commission requesting postponement of voting for Anantnag assembly by-election to June 22," an official of the state electoral office told IANS here on Friday.

Voting was earlier scheduled to be held on June 19.

"The request was made by the political parties because June 19 is the death anniversary of a religious leader who belonged to Anantnag," the official said.

Contesting parties feared low voter turnout on June 19 because of the death anniversary of the religious leader as the town and adjoining areas remain close on that day.

"After consultations with State Chief Electoral Officer Shantmanu the Election Commission has postponed the voting date to June 22 instead of June 19. Counting will now take place on June 25," the official said.

Qazi Nisar, a religio-political leader of south Kashmir was assassinated by Unidentified gunmen in Dialgam village near Anantnag town on June 19, 1994.

Eight candidates, including Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, are in the fray for Anantnag by-elections.

The seat fell vacant because of the death of the then Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed who represented Anantnag assembly constituency in the 87-member state assembly.