Voting in Srinagar LS seat under 3-tier security blanket

Srinagar, May 12: Amid unprecedented security arrangements the crucial Srinagar Parliamentary constituency elections all set record polling on Monday, May 13.

A three-tier security arrangement has been put in place outside polling stations to prevent any disruptions, with security forces monitoring roads and bylanes leading to polling stations. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) V K Birdi said that all security measures have been completed to ensure a safe and secure environment for voters.

“All security arrangements are in place ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi said. “Security measures for both pre-poll and poll-day activities have been implemented, including the positioning of inter-district check posts and appropriate security personnel.”

About the deployment of paramilitary personnel and the maintenance of queue discipline, the IGP said that these issues have been adequately addressed to ensure a smooth polling day. “Efforts have been made to create a safe and secure environment for voters, encouraging a high voter turnout.”

Since morning the polling staff along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was dispatched to polling stations in all districts where the polling is scheduled to be held on Monday. “ The staff has reached to their destinations and police stations have been secured,” senior police officials said adding that area domination had intensified since Saturday evening. “All the areas have been dominated with the deployment of  additional security forces.”

In the Srinagar LS constituency, a total of 17,47,810 voters, including 8,75,938 males and 8,71,808 females, along with 64 third-gender electorates, are eligible to cast their votes at 2,135 polling stations spread across Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal, and Shopian districts. Additionally, there are 11,682 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and 705 individuals above the age of 100 who will be exercising their franchise.

Notable candidates in the fray include National Conference's Aga Syed Rohulla Mehdi, Peoples Democratic Party's Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, and Apni Party's Ashraf Mir. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has historically dominated this seat, winning 10 out of 13 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress is the only national party to have won here, emerging victorious in the 1996 elections.

For the entire Srinagar LS constituency over 8500 polling staff, including reserves have been deployed. Voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm, with a mock poll conducted before voting commences. Polling will continue after 6:00 PM for those in queue at the polling stations.

Special arrangements have been made, including 20 polling booths managed by women (pink polling stations), 18 booths manned by specially-abled persons, and 17 by youths. All polling stations will have CCTV cameras for live webcasting to control rooms, with alternate communication arrangements for areas with poor connectivity.