Srinagar: The stage is set for the bypolls to the prestigious Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on Sunday with adequate security arrangements being made, even as terrorists and miscreants tried to scare the electorate.
The seat fell vacant following resignation of PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra, both from the Lower House of Parliament and his party, in protest against the "atrocities" on people during the agitation in the summer last year in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is the candidate of his party and the Congress jointly, will take on the ruling PDP's candidate Nazir Ahmad Khan in a virtual direct contest.
Khan, on the other hand, joined the PDP after quitting the Congress in February and was announced the candidate by the ruling party for the bypolls.
Voter turnout in Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency in 2014 polls was 26 per cent, slightly better than 25.55 percent recorded in 2009 elections.
"We are completely geared up to meet any challenge from anti-social elements tomorrow," Vaid, who has been camping here, told PTI, adding clear instructions have been passed on to the security personnel to ensure smooth conduct of the election.
The disruptive elements have made several unsuccessful attempts to scare the voters from the elections and tried to target the polling staff.
Unidentified persons last night tried to set ablaze a school building, designated as a polling station, in Narbal area of Budgam district but their attempt was foiled by police personnel posted there, the DGP said.
In another incident, a group of miscreants hurled stones at polling staff in Beerwah area of the district this morning but they were chased away by security forces using batons and firing tear smoke shells, a police official said.
In Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, which is going to polls on April 12, militants opened fire at a police party which was patrolling the area near an election meeting being addressed by CAPD minister and PDP leader Chaudhry Zulfikar Ali, police said.
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