EC won8217;t alter Kashmir dates

NEW DELHI, February 2: Unmoved by the National Conference8217;s threat to boycott the elections unless the counting date is changed, the Election Commission today said there would be no change in the schedule.

Three constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, namely Anantnag, Baramulla and Udhampur go to the polls on March 7, well after the counting of votes for the rest of the country begins on March 2.

The National Conference has been protesting against the change in the counting date saying publication of the results for the rest of the country would influence voters in Kashmir.

A United Front delegation met Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill on Sunday to demand the advancement of the polls in the three constituencies. National Conference leader Saifuddin Soz has in statements to the media said the Commission8217;s refusal to change the polling date in Jammu and Kashmir was a 8220;gross indiscrimination against the people of the state.8221;