Repoll at 38 Srinagar booths to test security arrangements

The repoll ordered by Election Commission (EC) in 38 polling stations of Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency will test the security arrangements tomorrow as all these are in Budgam district, the worst-hit by violence during voting on Sunday.
Seven of the eight deaths in security forces' firing after rampaging mobs to streets in scores of places perpetrating violence during Sunday's polling took place in Budgam district, especially in areas where the EC yesterday ordered a repoll.
The election officials express confidence that adequate security arrangements have been made for tomorrow's re- polling.
"Adequate arrangements of security and videography have been made for re-polling at 38 polling stations in Budgam district of Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency being held tomorrow," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K Shantmanu said today.

The CEO reviewed the arrangements for the re-poll at a high level meeting convened here.
Shantmanu said the poll process at the various stations will be video-graphed and one micro-observer from central government offices will also be deputed for each polling station where re-polling is being conducted.

He said all arrangements mandated by the EC for ensuring free and fair polls have also been put in place.
The re-polling at the 38 polling stations in Budgam will begin at 7 am and will end at 4 pm tomorrow, he added.
Only 7.14 per cent of the 12.61 lakh electorate cast their votes during the polling for by-election to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday amid large scale protests and violence around polling stations at dozens of places across the constituency.