The third phase of Lok Sabha voting began on a dry note in Anantnag district of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency in the state of Jammu and Kashmir amidst the tight security measures according to the officials.
Reportedly, the residents in most parts of the district in restive south Kashmir have stayed indoors so far.
Voting in Kulgam district will be held on April 29th while Pulwama and Shopian districts will go on polling on May 6th.
Followed by a request from the state police, the Election Commission has cut down the polling duration for Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency by two hours. The voting will be held in south Kashmir areas from 7 am to 4 pm. The Anantnag district has 5,29,256 electors including 2,69,603 males, 2,57,540 females, 2,102 service electors and 11 transgender voters.
Meanwhile, the Anantnag constituency has 13,97,272 registered voters including 7,20,337 males, 672879 females and 35 transgender voters.
(Source: NDTV news)
The EC has also established 1,842 polling stations so as to facilitate smooth polling.
There are 18 candidates in the fray for Anantnag constituency including PDP president and former CM of J&K, Mehbooba Mufti.
From, Congress, its state president Ghulam Ahmad Mir will be contesting while former High Court judge Hasnain Masoodi is contesting on the National Conference ticket.
The other prominent candidate in the fray is former MLC Sofi Yousuf of BJP.