J-K: Anantnag by-polls on May 16

Anantnag : The by-polls to the Anantnag assembly constituency, which had fallen vacant after the death of former chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, will be held on May 16.

The last date for filing the nomination papers for this seat is April 29 while the scrutiny of papers will be done the next day. The voting would take place on May 16 and counting on May 19.

While the Congress has decided to field Hilal Shah who lost to Sayeed in the 2014 assembly polls, the other parties including the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition National Conference (NC) are yet to decide on their candidates.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is the coalition partner of PDP in the state government, has said that it would campaign for the candidate of its alliance partner.

On the other hand, the National Conference said that the party leadership would meet later this week to take a call on finalizing the candidature.

As per Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Representation Act, 1957, the bye-election for a seat of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has to be held within six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy. (ANI)