Srinagar
Authorities on Sunday afternoon airlifted election staff from DPL Shopian to their respective polling stations in sub-division Zainapora area even as clashes were reported from many parts of the southern district amid heightened security arrangements.
Official sources said that election staff along with EVMs for 24 polling stations were airlifted in helicopters from District Police Lines Shopian and dropped in subdivision Zainapora today in the afternoon. “The Sub-Division Zainapora is considered as most sensitive part of the district”.
These arrangements were made by the administration as a precautionary measure and to prevent any law and order situation, a police officer said.
Meanwhile, sources said that youth pelted stones on vehicles carrying polling staff in many other parts of the twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian.
The twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian are spread over six Assembly segments — Tral, Pampore, Pulwama, Rajpora, Wachi and Shopian.
On the last leg of the three-phase elections for Anantnag constituency, the two southern Kashmir districts Pulwama and Shopian are going for polls on May 6 (tomorrow).
As many as 695 polling stations have been established across the districts for the smooth conduct of elections. These south Kashmir districts have 522,530 electors including 271,127 males, 250,735 females, 657 service electors (646 males and 11 females) and 11 transgender voters.
Pulwama district has 351,314 electors including 181,259 males, 169,508 females, 541 service electors (533 male and eight female) and six transgender voters. 450 polling stations have been set up across the district.
Similarly, Shopian district has 171,216 electors including 89,868 males, 81,227 females, 116 service electors (113 male and three female) and five transgender voters. The EC has set up 245 polling stations across the district. (GNS)
