The sudden closure of Mughal road, connecting the Shopian district with Poonch, due to fresh snowfall and inclement weather conditions has further pushed the ball into the court of the Election Commission of India as it is likely to decide on whether to defer the polling day on the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat. 

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole have submitted a detailed report about weather and road conditions in the Anantnag-Poonch-Rajouri (APR) Parliamentary constituency to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The polling is scheduled for May 7 during the third phase of polling.

According to official sources, the Returning Officer collected feedback from all the contesting candidates and their authorized representatives on record before replying to the Chief Electoral Officer.

After analysing the ground reports the Election Commission is expected to take a call on whether to revise the schedule of Anantnag's seat or go ahead with the current date.

The ECI had earlier sought a report on weather conditions, accessibility and other factors etc in the Anantnag constituency following representations submitted by political parties and three candidates seeking rescheduling of the election due to adverse weather conditions including snowfall on Mughal Road and Pir Ki Gali.

Prominent candidates in the fray from Anantnag include PDP chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, former Minister Mian Altaf (National Conference), Zaffar Manhas (Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party) and Advocate Mohammad Parray (DPAP).

The BJP hasn’t fielded any candidate in Anantnag constituency.