Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 18: As the campaigning for Baramulla Parliamentary constituency where around 17.3 lakh voters are enrolled ended today, security has been intensified to ensure smooth and peaceful vote.
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Chief Electoral Officer, J&K P K Pole in a statement said that public campaigning in areas of Baramulla Parliamentary constituency has concluded at 6 pm today, 48 hours before conduct of the elections.
“No one, including citizens, journalists, politicians, would be allowed to partake in any election campaign related activity. Holding public meetings, conferences, and interviews has been stopped to give the voters a peaceful break from being influenced by campaigns so that they may make a considered decision while voting”, the statement read.
Returning Officer Minga Sherpa told a news conference that all necessary arrangements, including security, are in place for the smooth conduct of the polls.
“Improved security situations, absence of boycott or hartal calls, and active political campaigning are expected to result in a historic voter turnout,” he said.
Sherpa said the district is prepared for any eventualities, including network connectivity issues at eight Polling Stations—six in Uri and two in
Rafiabad—which will be managed with wireless communication.
“In anticipation of weather-related challenges, over 20-25 pieces of machinery, including JCBs, are on standby to ensure all polling parties reach their destinations,” he added.
The RO provided further details on the election arrangements, announcing that a total of 905 polling booths have been set up across 722 locations in Baramulla district, which has 715,000 eligible voters.
“In total, 2103 Polling Stations have been established in the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency. Among these, 905 polling booths in Baramulla district are designated as critical stations, with robust security arrangements in place,” he said.
“Over 200 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed by the district police in Baramulla and Sopore”, he said.
The Baramulla Parliamentary constituency, divided into 18 Assembly segments, has 1.74 million eligible voters.
Sherpa expressed optimism for a high voter turnout, similar to the historic numbers seen in the fourth phase of Srinagar elections. This is due to the improved security situation and the absence of boycott calls, he said.
The Returning Officer said special arrangements have been made with seven pink Polling Stations established in the district. These stations, he said, feature buildings painted pink, special gates, and all-women polling parties.
The Baramulla Lok Sabha segment elections, scheduled for May 20, will see 22 candidates contesting, including prominent figures such as National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone, Mir Fayaz Ahmed of the People’s Democratic Party, and Er Rashid of the Awami Ittihad Party, among others.
“These total 17,37,865 lakh voters enrolled in the phase V included 8,75,831 male and 8,62,000 female voters besides 34 third gender electorates. There are around 17128 Persons with Disability and 527 persons above the age of 100 years who will be exercising their franchise”, a statement from Chief Electoral Officer, J&K read.
It said that around 2,103 Polling Stations have been set up in the fifth phase across 4 districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and parts of Budgam. “The election staff including Presiding Officers will be stationed in every polling station. In total, more than 8,000 polling staff, including reserves, will be deployed on duty on the polling day. Besides, there are 28 border Polling Stations in Kupwara and Baramulla districts.”
“The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm and before that there will be mock poll in the Polling Stations in presence of the polling agents. Also, the voting will continue even after 6 pm, if the voter’s queue is still there in the Polling Station premises to exercise their right to vote.”
There will be 18 polling booths managed by women (also called as Pink Polling Stations), 17 polling booths manned by specially abled persons and 18 by youths. Also, there will be 21 Green Polling Stations in order to spread messages about environmental concerns. The purpose behind these special Polling Stations is to spread awareness among sections of the society like women, specially abled, first time young voters to come forward and exercise their right to vote.
“In addition to the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), 12 types of documents will also be allowed to verify a voter and allow him for vote. EPIC cards are not mandatory for voting. The requisite documents included Aadhaar Card, MGNREGA Job Card, Pass books with photograph, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour, Driving License, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension document with photograph, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/StateGovt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies, Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs and Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, issued by Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry,” the statement said.
All 2103 Polling Stations of Baramulla PC in phase 5 will have CCTV cameras for live webcasting in total 4206 cameras and 50 additional CCTV cameras at main entrances of the Polling Stations.
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