From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:32 PM IST

The Election Commission Thursday said the by-poll in Kashmir's Hazratbal assembly constituency will be held May 30.

The by-election was earlier scheduled to be held May 7 but the notification was cancelled last week after 'improper acceptance' of nomination form of a National Conference candidate.

'By-election to Hazratbal assembly constituency will be held May 30. The poll process will start Monday,' said Deputy Election Commissioner R. Balakrishnan here.

Mustafa Kamal was the National Conference candidate from Hazratbal constituency, whose nomination papers triggered controversy forcing the Election Commission to re-notify the election date.

The nomination papers of Kamal, brother of party chief Farooq Abdullah, were accepted by the Hazratbal returning officer. But, Kamal's name had not been mentioned in the relevant column of an authority letter from the party.

However, by-poll in Sonawar constituency would be held as per schedule May 7 simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in Srinagar constituency.

The two seats fell vacant following Farooq Abdullah's resignation from the assembly on being elected to the Rajya Sabha. Abdullah had won both seats in November-December assembly polls.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)