Jammu: The notification for the Lok Sabha poll in Udhampur constituency on April 19 was issued on Wednesday, an election official said.
The Udhampur-Kathua constituency is one of 102 segments across the country going to the polls in the first phase on April 19.
Kathua District Magistrate Rakesh Minhas, who is also the returning officer for the constituency, issued the notification for filing nominations from Wednesday.
The last date to file nominations is March 27. The papers will be scrutinised on March 28 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 30, Minhas told reporters in Kathua.
So far, only the BJP and the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) have announced their candidates for the seat.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh is contesting for the BJP while the DPAP has fielded GM Saroori.
Pertinently, the election notification specifies the timeline and procedures for candidates wishing to contest in the parliamentary elections.
As per the notification, nomination papers can be filed by candidates or their proposers at the Returning Officer’s office or Assistant Returning Officer 67-Kathua AC (ACR Kathua) at Deputy Commissioner’s office, Kathua between 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM on any day (other than public holiday) not later than March 27, 2024.
The nomination forms can be obtained from the office of the Returning Officer, located at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kathua.
Scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on March 28, 2024 at 01:00 PM at Deputy Commissioner’s Office Kathua.
Candidates have the option to withdraw their candidature on March 30, 2024 until 03:00 PM.
The polling day for the constituency is scheduled for April 19, 2024, and the polling will be conducted from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM.
The Returning Officer also informed that there will be no nomination process on March 23rd, 24th and 25th, 2024, due to public holidays on these dates under Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881.
Dr. Minhas urged all eligible candidates and stakeholders to adhere to the election schedule and procedures outlined in the notification. He also appealed for active participation and cooperation of all concerned parties to ensure a fair and transparent election.
