The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to change the polling timing in Anantnag, South Kashmir. In its request, the J&K police cited that stone-pelters and terrorists take advantage of darkness and by the time the polling staff will return in the evening, the area will become sensitive and may pose a threat to staff's safety. The Anantnag Lok Sabha seat is the hotbed of terrorism and going for polling in three phases. Acceding to the demand of the Police, the ECI decided to close the polling by 4 pm to avoid law and order situation.

 

 

 

Election Commission notification regarding change of poll timing in Anantnag 

 

The ECI issued a notification on Friday evening stating: “The polling time in all the polling stations, for the Anantnag parliamentary constituency, has been fixed from 7 am to 4 pm instead of 7 am to 6 pm.”

 

 

“The Commission has amended the timings after considering the reports of the state government, district administration, and Police and taking into account all material circumstances including law and order situation,” the notification stated.

 

 

Anantnag is the only Parliamentary Constituency in India which is going for polls in three phases on 23 April, Kulgam on 29 April and Shopian and Pulwama districts on 6 May 2019.