The Anantnag Police stated that detentions are minimal and only involve individuals with a tainted past, based on inputs about potential threats to security on polling day. Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP), alleged on Saturday, May 25, that her party workers and polling agents were being detained without cause. She also claimed that there were efforts to tamper with the electronic voting machines (EVMs). As a candidate for the Anantnag–Rajouri Lok Sabha seat in South Kashmir, where voting is underway, Mehbooba Mufti protested alongside party leaders and workers. She also reported that outgoing calls on her mobile phone had been suspended without explanation.

“I have not been able to make any calls since this morning. There is no explanation for the sudden suspension of services on polling day in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency,” Mehbooba Mufti told PTI.

The PDP raised the issue on social media, posting on X, “Just ahead of the polls, Mehbooba Mufti’s phone service has been abruptly cut off. Yesterday evening and early today, scores of PDP workers and polling agents were detained across the polling area.”

On Friday, Mehbooba Mufti wrote to the Election Commission, alleging that PDP workers and polling agents were being detained by the police. She tweeted, “Many of our PDP polling agents and workers are being detained just before voting. Families are being told that it’s at the behest of SSP Anantnag and DIG South Kashmir. We have written to @ECISVEEP hoping for their timely intervention.”

Anantnag Police responded by stating, “Claims were made by a political party that their workers have been detained. Firstly, detentions are very few and restricted only to those with a tainted past, based on credible inputs of potential threats to law and order and security on polling day. Mostly they are OGWs (Over Ground Workers) and are taken into preventive custody to ensure a safe and peaceful election.”

Mehbooba Mufti is contesting against National Conference (NC) candidate Mian Altaf Ahmad, with Zafar Iqbal Manhas of the Apni Party also in the race, making it a triangular contest.

Previously, the Election Commission had rescheduled the polling date in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency from May 7 to May 25 due to logistical issues, communication concerns, and natural connectivity barriers.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not fielded any candidate from the three seats in Kashmir, including Anantnag-Rajouri. In 2019, NC’s Hasnain Masoodi narrowly defeated Mufti by over 6,000 votes.

This is the first general election in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Voting has already concluded in Jammu, Baramulla, Srinagar, and Udhampur constituencies.