By-elections in J

Srinagar, Mar 17 (UNI) The bypoll to four Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir will be held on April 24, an official spokesman said today.

The constituencies are Rafiabad, Sangrama and Pattan in Baramulla district of Kashmir division and Bhaderwah in Doda district of Jammu division.

The notification to this effect would be issued on March 31. The last date for nominations is April 7 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 10 and the polling will be held on April 24, the spokesman added.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would be used in all the polling stations.

The Model Code of Conduct will come into effect from March 16 in the districts where the bye-elections would be held and will be applicable to all candidates, political parties, the central and the state governments, the spokesman said.

The bypolls in Rafiabad, Pattan and Bhaderwah have been necessitated following the resignation of the sitting legislators while the Assembly member from Sangrama, Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone, was killed by unidentified gunmen here on October 18 last year.

While Mr Dilawar Mir was the sitting member from Rafiabad, Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari had won from Pattan and Mr Mohammad Sharief Niaz from Bhaderwah.

Both Mr Mir and Moulvi Ansari had won on the National Conference (NC) ticket, but later joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently resigned from the state Assembly.

Mr Niaz of the Congress has vacated the seat for Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad while Dr Lone had won on a PDP ticket.

UNI AG VD ND1713