Srinagar LS bypoll: Stage set for counting of votes on Saturday

The stage is set for counting of votes for the bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday. The electoral fate of nine candidates, including National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, will be known on Saturday.

Abdullah, whose only electoral defeat has come in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, is locked in a direct contest with ruling PDP’s Nazir Ahmad Khan.

The counting of votes will begin at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar on Saturday at 8.00 AM, an election official said.

The counting of migrant votes will simultaneously take place in Jammu, Udhampur and New Delhi, the official said.

The bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held on April 9, with the constituency recording its lowest voter turnout of 7.13 per cent.

The polling day was also marred by violence which left eight persons dead and scores of others, including security personnel, injured in clashes with stone-pelting protesters.

Also read: Srinagar repoll: Only 1% voters turned up to cast their vote in first 3 hrs

The Election Commission conducted a repoll yesterday on 38 polling stations which were worst hit by the poll day violence.

The repoll saw an abysmal turnout of two per cent.

State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shantmanu today visited SKICC to review the arrangements made for the counting of votes.

“The CEO inspected strong room and counting centers and received a detailed briefing of the arrangements. He was accompanied by Returning Officer and District Electoral Officer Srinagar, observers and other officers concerned,” an official spokesman said.

Shantmanu said besides the presence of observers, the entire counting will be video-graphed.

Also read: Srinagar LS bypoll: Amid tight security, repolling begins in 38 polling stations of Budgam

The CEO inspected the counting halls established for each of the assembly segment, and was briefed about the security arrangements inside and outside the venue.

During his visit to the media centre, the CEO also directed the officials to provide full assistance to media fraternity in disseminating the news.