Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, May 18: The fervent campaigning for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat culminated on Saturday evening, with candidates making their final pitches to voters ahead of the crucial election on May 20.
Voters are gearing up with enthusiasm to cast their ballots, while the Election Commission has meticulously finalized all arrangements to ensure a smooth process.
Baramulla constituency has always been a hotbed of political activity, with its residents actively participating in the democratic process.
Baramulla constituency, spanning 18 Assembly segments across Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Budgam, boasts an electorate of 1,737,865 voters. With 2,103 polling stations set up and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) dispatched to all districts, the stage is set for a significant electoral contest.
In the twilight hours leading up to the campaign’s end, the streets of Baramulla constituency were abuzz with activity. Last-minute door-to-door canvassing, ceaseless movement of political vehicles characterized the fervent efforts of the candidates to secure voter support.
There are 22 candidates vying for victory on Monday. The primary contenders in this high-stakes race include Omar Abdullah of the J&K National Conference, Sajad Lone with strong voter support, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, and Er Rashid, whose campaign continues to draw significant attention despite his incarceration.
Meanwhile security has been significantly heightened across North Kashmir to ensure a peaceful polling process.
Additional forces have been strategically deployed throughout Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Budgam to maintain law and order. Security officials have emphasized the necessity of these measures to protect the integrity of the democratic process.
District Commissioner Minga Sherpa and Senior Superintendent of Police Amod Ashok Nagpure, outlined security protocols and coordinated the deployment of forces.
They emphasized the importance of adhering to the Election Commission’s guidelines and the critical role of all officers in maintaining a secure and transparent electoral environment.
Both the DC and SSP expressed confidence in their teams’ readiness and urged all officials to work collaboratively to ensure the elections are conducted smoothly.
As per reports over 18,000 migrant voters from the registered 26,000 Kashmiri Pandit electorate are eligible to vote across the country for the Baramulla-Kupwara constituency.
As the final preparations are set and the fervor of campaigning settles, all eyes now turn to Monday’s polls. The voters’ enthusiasm and the comprehensive arrangements by the Election Commission signal a vibrant exercise of democracy, with the constituency poised for a major political showdown.(KNS)
