Election Dangal for Thanamandi and Budhal Old (A) DDC constituencies on Friday.

Shyam Sood
Rajouri December 03 :–The election for Budhal Old-A (Kotranka) and Thanamandi DDC constituencies in Rajouri district will be held on Friday in phase-3 between 7 am & 2 pm.
“All the necessary arrangements regarding elections have been completed, including security arrangements, election material and manpower” said DDC Mohd Nazir Sheikh also DPEO.
Budhal Old ­-A constituency is reserved for ST Women and three candidates are in fray namely Zubeida Begam (Apni Party), Shazia Kousar (Independent) & Shaheen Akhter (National Conference).
Zubeida Begam is the wife of ex-cabinet Minister Ch. Zulfkar Ali while Shazia Kousar is their close relative and has resigned as a teacher before filing her nomination papers.
A Triangular contest for this constituency will end in neck and neck because NC candidate Shaheen Akhter is a daughter of Ch. Shafi, a prominent NC leader of the area and has also the support of PAGD alliance.
If reports are to be believed very close contest would be between Shazia Kousar and Shaheen Akhter.
There are 26152, including 12293 female, eligible voters in this constituency from 22 Panchyats and 176 wards.

In Thanamandi DDC constituency, 13 candidates, including eight independents, are in the fray.
Five associated with political parties include ACR (retd) Abdul Qaoom Mir (Congress), Anjum Javed Mirza (NC), Capt(retd) Najam Din, Ali Mohd (Apni Party) & Mohd Akram (JKPM).
Congress candidate has a little edge in this constituency in neck to neck contest with NC & Apni Party candidates. There are 27874 eligible voters in this constituency and the administration has set up 58 polling stations in 24 Panchyats.
“The voting will be held at 111 polling booths in both the constituencies out of which 12 are hypersensitive and 67 are sensitive. Full proof security has been made for the smooth conduct of the elections” said Th. Sher Singh, Additional DC.