Jammu/Srinagar: The nomination papers of 35 candidates including that of jailed separatist Sarjan Barkati were on Wednesday rejected during scrutiny for the first phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, leaving 244 contestants in the fray.
The first phase covering 24 segments — 16 in south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag and Shopian districts and eight in Chenab valley area of Jammu region comprising Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts — are going to polls in the first phase on September 18.
The scrutiny of nomination papers for 24 assembly constituencies was held on Wednesday in the office of the respective returning officers across all seven districts, a statement issued by the office of Chief Electoral Officer said.
During the scrutiny of the nomination papers filed by 279 candidates, candidature of 244 candidates was found valid according to the guidelines of the Election Commission, while nomination papers of 35 candidates, which were found invalid, were rejected.
The 35 candidates whose nomination was rejected include jailed separatist worker Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Sarjan Barkati. His daughter Sugra had filed his nomination as an Independent candidate from Zainapora constituency of Shopian district on Tuesday.
Barkati, who shot to fame during the 2016 summer turmoil which broke out after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, was first arrested eight years ago and booked under the Public Safety Act. He was again arrested last year and is facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
According to the charge sheet filed against him in a court earlier this year, Barkati — an active ideologue, promoter and supporter of ongoing terrorist-secessionist nexus — hatched a criminal conspiracy with others who include his relatives and family members to facilitate, aid, incite, advice, advocate and promote terrorist and secessionist ideologies and activities through his inflammatory speeches.
“Through such audio-video inflammatory speeches, he has incited, instigated and provoked youth to join the terrorist ranks,” the charge sheet reads.
Others whose nomination papers were rejected include 13 other Independent candidates and several candidates of different political parties.
The candidates can withdraw their nomination by August 30 before 3 pm in the office of the respective returning officers.
The officials said nomination papers of 67 candidates were found valid in Anantnag district, followed by 46 in Pulwama district, 34 in Doda district, 29 in Kishtwar district, 26 in Kulgam district, 21 in Shopian district, while nomination papers of 21 candidates have been found valid and accordingly accepted in Ramban district.
In Kishtwar district, nomination papers of 12 candidates were found valid in 48-Inderwal AC; 10 candidates in 49-Kishtwar AC; while nomination papers of seven candidates have been accepted in 50-Padder-Nagseni AC.
In Doda district, nomination papers of 14 candidates were accepted in 51-Bhadarwah AC; 11 candidates in 52-Doda AC; and nine candidates in 53-Doda West AC.
In Ramban district, a total of 12 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 54-Ramban AC; while nomination papers of nine candidates have been accepted in 55-Banihal AC.
Similarly, in Pulwama district, nomination papers of 14 candidates were accepted in 32-Pampore AC; 10 candidates in 33-Tral AC; 12 candidates in 34-Pulwama AC; and 10 candidates in 35-Rajpora AC.
In Shopian district, a total of 10 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 36-Zainapora AC; while nomination papers of 11 candidates have been accepted in 37-Shopian AC.
In Kulgam district, nomination papers of six candidates were accepted in 38-DH Pora AC; 10 candidates in 39-Kulgam AC; and 10 candidates in 40-Devsar AC.
In Anantnag district, a total of 12 nomination papers were found valid and accepted in 41-Dooru AC; 10 candidates in 42-Kokernag (ST) AC; 10 candidates in 43-Anantnag West AC; 13 candidates in 44-Anantnag AC; three candidates in 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara AC; 13 candidates in 46-Shangus-Anantnag East AC; while nomination papers of six candidates have been accepted in 47-Pahalgam AC. (PTI)
Permissions simplified for political parties, candidates
The election authorities have simplified various permissions for political parties and candidates to facilitate smooth and transparent Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said on Wednesday.
The majority of permissions have been placed at the disposal of returning officers, the official said.
Jammu and Kashmir, having 90 assembly seats, is going to polls in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1 followed by counting of votes on October 4. This will be the first assembly elections in J&K after it was downgraded to a Union Territory (UT) in August 2019 with its special status under Article 370 of the Constitution also revoked.
The office of J&K chief electoral officer (CEO) issued a detailed communication to all concerned stakeholders on the flow of various permissions that would be required during the course of ongoing general elections to the Legislative Assembly.
The permissions placed at the level of CEO office include vehicle permission for transport of campaigning material by political parties across the UT, vehicle permission for star campaigners and party office-bearers and permissions for video vans across districts at UT level, the official said.
Similarly, the permissions placed at the level of district election officer include application for air balloons, construction of rostrums or barricades, permit to take out procession with loud speaker and application for setting up of temporary party office, application for rally, application for door-to-door canvassing, application for permission of video van (within district) and vehicle permission for district level office bearer of political party (within district), permission for helicopter and helipads and application for load carrier for transport of publicity material by political parties (within district).
These include permit for street corner meeting with loud speaker, permission to hold meeting without loudspeaker, one vehicle for complete Assembly constituency (AC) for the candidate, one vehicle for a complete AC area for the election agent of the candidate, one vehicle per AC for the party/party worker and vehicle permission for within AC, the official said.
In addition, application for pamphlet distribution, application for vehicle with loudspeaker, application for display banners and flags, application for display poster, hoarding and unipole, application for loudspeaker permit, application for vehicle permit and permit to hold meeting with loud speaker were also assigned to district election officer.
The official said all the permissions have been digitised and the political parties and contesting candidates can apply for them directly through ‘SUVIDHA’ application.
