ECI to seek further inputs on JK assembly polls
Srinagar: As the suspense over holding of Assembly polls continues in Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission is once again set to take further inputs from all necessary quarters, on how early the Assembly polls can be held in the state.
Sources in the election commission said that Election Commission is monitoring on a real-time basis the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and will soon take a decision on holding Assembly elections in the state.
“In New Delhi on Tuesday, the commission is taking inputs from all necessary quarters including the security establishments, and will soon take its final decision in this regard,” sources said.
Notably, there were reports that Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are likely to take place in June ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra beginning July 1. However, the Governor’s administration here on Friday opposed the proposal to hold assembly elections in June and instead urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to hold elections in November.
The government has reportedly cited the Ramzan, Yatra, tourism season and Bakarwal migration as reasons for further delay in elections.
However, sources said that the decision on holding assembly elections will be taken by election commission of India after consultations with the union home ministry on the timing suited for assembly elections in the state.
The special observers recently met Election commission and submit their feedback to the Election Commission of India to help it decide on holding assembly elections in the state.
The special observers are retired IAS officers Noor Mohammad and Vinod Zutshi, and retired IPS officer A.S. Gill.
Pertinently, all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir had criticized the EC’s move of not conducting the assembly polls along with general elections in the state.
Since the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has been dissolved, the EC is bound to hold fresh polls as well within a six-month period, which will end in May.
While there was a view that the assembly elections can be held along with the Lok Sabha polls, The ECI decided to hold Lok Sabha polls in the trouble-ravaged state and defer the assembly polls citing security situation and huge need of additional forces for securing the contesting candidates. In J&K, there are 87 Assembly seats.
The State plunged into the Governors’ rule last year after the sudden withdrawal of support to the PDP by the BJP. New Delhi replaced Governor of the State, NN Vohra with Satya Pal Malik, who after completing his six month’s stint was made as the care take Governor with State taking a plunge into presidential rule. (KNS)
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