CEO Pole reassures smooth election amid ceasefire

Baramulla, May 3: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole on Friday reassured the people that with the existing ceasefire, there is no cause for concern as preparations for the upcoming elections are well underway.
He said this during his visit to north Kashmir’s Baramulla district where he conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Counting Center and Strong Rooms designated for the 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency at the indoor sports stadium, ensuring a seamless and transparent counting process.
Addressing reporters here, CEO Pole, said they are committed to facilitating a conducive environment for polling activities.
While acknowledging the ceasefire in place for the past 3-4 years, he said that a contingency plan is in place to address any unforeseen circumstances.
“The great response from contenders across the spectrum is setting a stage for a spirited contest, with the final touches made to election preparations,” he said.
The nomination deadline ended on Friday, even as the training season for polling parties are nearing completion.
“Final preparations are underway for the elections as today marks the last day of nominations, with a significant response observed,” he said. “Following the finalisation of candidates, the EVL commissioning is going to start.”
Meanwhile, speaking in Kupwara, CEO Pole urged the eligible individuals to exercise their democratic rights and encourage others to do the same. “Approximately 87 lakh voters are expected to cast their ballots across 11,629 polling stations in the 5 parliamentary constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Commending the people of Kupwara for their consistent engagement in elections, CEO Pole said, “Kupwara has always played a leading role with 60-65 voting percentage or more in elections. We anticipate a high voting percentage this time.”
A total of 38 candidates, including prominent figures such as Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, Sajad Gani Lone of the People’s Conference, independent candidate Er Rashid, and Fayaz Ahmed Mir of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have filed their nomination papers for the electoral fray in Baramulla. On the last day of nominations, 19 applications were submitted at the office of the Returning Officer (RO), 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, Minga Sherpa, for the General Lok Sabha Elections 2024.