Heightened security in Kashmir for vote counting

Srinagar, June 3: In anticipation of the vote counting for the three Lok Sabha constituencies in Kashmir on Tuesday, stringent security measures have been implemented across the Valley and additional security personnel have been deployed at key locations to ensure a secure and orderly process.

Senior Police officials said here that a comprehensive three-tier security system has been established around the counting centres in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag.

“This arrangement is designed to prevent unauthorized access and ensure the integrity of the counting process. Special attention is being given to the strong rooms where electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been securely stored since the polls concluded in these constituencies,” officials said.

Polling for the five parliamentary constituencies in J&K took place in five phases: April 19, April 26, May 13, May 20, and May 25.

Ahead of the vote counting, Returning Officers (ROs) held detailed meetings with contesting candidates, election agents, and representatives from various political parties.

These meetings were aimed to familiarise all parties with the counting procedures as outlined by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Participants were briefed on the sequence and procedures for the counting process, including the handling of EVMs, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), and the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).

An official spokesman said that regular announcements would be made via the public address system in the counting hall on the day of the count.

Sixty-six candidates are vying for the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir. Prominent candidates include former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti; former minister Sajad Gani Lone, and former legislator Engineer Rashid.

In the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Mufti faces a significant challenge from Mian Altaf Ahmad, a prominent Gujjar leader from the National Conference (NC).

The Baramulla seat is witnessing a competitive three-way race between Abdullah, Rashid, and Lone.

Meanwhile, in the prestigious Srinagar constituency, the NC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fielded young candidates Aga Roohullah and Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra.

Kashmir has seen a remarkable voter turnout in these Lok Sabha polls, with over 50 percent of the electorate casting their votes, marking a record participation rate.