The Election Commission of India has announced a change in the polling dates for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. Originally scheduled for May 7, the polling date has been shifted to May 25. 

The decision follows requests from various political parties, including the Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit chief Ravinder Raina, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari, and People’s Conference leader Imran Ansari, citing adverse weather conditions.

The Election Commission had sought a detailed report from the Jammu and Kashmir administration regarding road conditions, weather, and accessibility to the region, which covers parts of South Kashmir, Poonch, and Rajouri in the Jammu region. Former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah (National Conference), and Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) had urged the Election Commission not to postpone the polls. However, the constituency will now go to polls in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections