Srinagar(Kashmir),May 05 – Campaigning for Srinagar Parliamentary constituency (PC) in Kashmir, which is going to polls on Thursday in the fourth phase of five-phased Lok Sabha elections in the State ended today. After Anantnag Parliamentary constituency, Srinagar is the largest constituency going to polls in Kashmir division. Voting for Srinagar PC will take place on May 7 while as for Baramulla and Ladakh Parliamentary constituencies, polling will be held on May 13 in the fifth and final phase of elections.
Over 11 lakh voters will decide fate of 15 contestants spread over 15 Assembly segments of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency. As many as 1,483 polling stations have been set up to facilitate voters on the day of polling. Voting for Jammu, Udhampur and Anantnag Parliamentary constituencies has already been held on April 16, 23 and 30 respectively in the first, second and third phases, earlier.
Many national and state leaders have campaigned across the constituency with Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for Water Resources Prof. Saifuddin Soz and former Chief Ministers, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad addressing various public meetings.
The Election Commission has appointed three Election Observers and 913 Micro Observers in the three districts of Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the constituency.
In Srinagar Parliamentary constituency, Ganderbal will vote in Parliamentary elections for the first time as independent district.
The total electorate in the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency is 11,02,451 which includes 5,74,443 male and 5,28,008 female voters.
Out of the total 15 contestants in fray, five are independents while two are female candidates. Those contesting elections from Srinagar PC are Dr. Farooq Abdullah of NC, Mr. Iftikhar Hussain Ansari of PDP, Mr. Avtar Krishan Pandita of BJP, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Khan of BSP, Mr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat of Samata Party, Mrs. Khalida Begum of ANC, Mr. Zaheer Abbas Bhatti of AIFB, Mr. Abdul Rashid Lone of RPI (A), Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad of Rashtriya Krantikari Samajwadi Party, Mr. Nisar Ahmad Ahangar of Bhartiya Sampuran Krantikari Party and Syed Mujteba Hussain, Mr. Ashiq Hussain Bhat, Ms. Mehbooba Shadab, Mr. Mohammad Asan Mir, Mr. Mohammad Alyas Kumar, all independents.