The Election Commission of India has finalized the schedule for General Elections to be held in five phases to constitute the 15th Lok Sabha commencing from April 16, 2009. As per the schedule, elections in all the six Parliamentary constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir shall be conducted in five phases.
In Jammu division, polling in Jammu Parliamentary constituency shall be held on April 16 in the first phase. March 23 is the date of issuance of Notification, March 30 last date for making nominations, March 31 date of scrutiny of nominations and April 2 is the last date of withdrawal of nomination papers.
For Udhampur constituency, going to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 23, Notification shall be issued on March 28, April 4 is the date of filing nominations, April 6 date of scrutiny and April 8 last date for withdrawal of nominations.
Likewise in Kashmir division, polling in Anantnag constituency shall be held on April 30 in the third phase, Notification shall be issued on April 2, last date for making nominations is April 9, scrutiny of nomination on April 10 and last date of withdrawal of candidature is April 15.
Srinagar Parliamentary constituency shall go to polls on May 7 in the fourth phase and April 11 is the date of issuance of Notification. The last date for filing nomination papers is April 18, date of scrutiny of nominations April 20 and last date of withdrawal of nominations is April 22.
In the fifth and final phase of Parliamentary elections on May 13, Baramulla and Ladakh Parliamentary constituencies are scheduled to go to polls for which April 17 is the date of issuance of Notification, April 24 last date for filing nominations, April 25 date of scrutiny of nominations and April 27 last date of withdrawal of candidature.
Counting of votes shall take place on May 16 and is expected to complete on the same day. The entire election process shall be completed before May 28.
The Election Commission of India has taken decision of scheduling and phasing the Lok Sabha election after holding meeting with representatives of all recognized National and State political parties. The Commission also held a series of meetings with the Chief Secretaries, Director General of Police and Chief Electoral Officers of all States to assess the law and order situation, requirement of Central Police Forces (CPF) and overall preparedness of the election machinery in the country. The Commission has also held detailed discussions with the Union Home Secretary over deployment of forces and Chairman Railway Board on Inter-state movement plan for transport of CPF and other police forces.
Consequent on the announcement of schedule for the Lok Sabha elections, Model Code of Conduct has been enforced in the entire country.(Read more at www.scoopnews.in)