By IANS,
New Delhi : The Election Commission Thursday announced its decision to cancel the by-poll in Kashmir’s Hazratbal assembly constituency after “improper acceptance” of nomination form of a National Conference candidate.
“There has been (an) improper acceptance of the nomination of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference candidate by the returning officer,” Deputy Election Commissioner R.Balakrishnan told reporters here.
Mustafa Kamal was to contest as the National Conference candidate from Hazratbal constituency, which fell vacant following Farooq Abdullah’s resignation from the assembly on being elected to the Rajya Sabha.
The nomination papers of Kamal, brother of party chief Farooq Abdullah, were accepted Wednesday by the Hazratbal returning officer. Kamal’s name had not been mentioned in the relevant column of an authority letter from the party.
The by-poll was scheduled May 7 along with Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency.
Besides Kamal, Mufti Nazimuddin of “Save Srinagar Front” and Asia Naqash of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were in fray for the polls.
The seat was bagged by National Conference in assembly polls held last year when Abdullah defeated Asia by over 4,000 votes.