The electoral process for the Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu and Kashmir has been set in motion by Dr. Rakesh Minhas, the Returning Officer for the constituency, today issued the election notification, outlining the timeline and procedures for candidates wishing to contest in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The elections in this Parliamentary Constituency (PC) are scheduled to take place during the first phase of the electoral process, underscoring the pivotal role it plays in the region’s political landscape.
According to the notification, aspiring candidates or their proposers can file their nomination papers at the Returning Officer’s office or the Assistant Returning Officer’s office at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kathua. The nomination window will be open from 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM on any day (other than public holidays) until March 27, 2024. Candidates can obtain the requisite nomination forms from the office of the Returning Officer, conveniently located at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kathua. The scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on March 28, 2024, at 01:00 PM at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Kathua. This crucial step will determine the eligibility of the candidates and their compliance with the established norms and guidelines.
Candidates who wish to withdraw their candidature will have the opportunity to do so on March 30, 2024, until 03:00 PM.
The highly anticipated polling day for the Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency has been scheduled for April 19, 2024. Voters will be able to exercise their democratic right from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM on that day. In a press conference addressing the election notification, Dr. Minhas informed that there will be no nomination process on March 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2024, due to public holidays on these dates under the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881.
The Returning Officer urged all eligible candidates and stakeholders to adhere to the election schedule and procedures outlined in the Election Notification. He also appealed for active participation and cooperation from all concerned parties to ensure a fair, transparent, and smooth election process.
As the electoral battle in Udhampur intensifies, all eyes will be on the candidates who step forward to contest for the esteemed parliamentary seat. The notification marks the beginning of an important phase in the region’s democratic exercise, and the outcome will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.