Jammu, Aug 9, KNT: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Friday said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was committed to conducting assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest, adding that the poll body would not let any internal or external forces derail the process.
“During a press conference in Jammu, Kumar emphasized that there is a unified demand among all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir for the swift conduct of assembly elections. He stated that the parties are collectively advocating for an early polling date, underscoring the urgency and consensus on this critical issue.”
“He warned against creating a ‘chicken and egg’ situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where recent militant attacks in the Jammu region could potentially disrupt the election process. However, he expressed confidence in the capabilities of the security forces, stating, ‘We will not let these minor attempts derail the electoral process in J&K.’ Regarding the exact poll dates, he maintained suspense, saying that a final security assessment would be conducted in Delhi before making an announcement.”
In response to a volley of questions, the Chief Election Commissioner addressed the predominant concern regarding the feasibility of conducting polls, stating that feedback from the administration indicates their readiness to proceed. However, he acknowledged that certain elements are attempting to undermine the electoral process. The CEC emphasized that security considerations should not be used as a pretext for delaying the polls, underscoring the commitment to ensuring a timely and secure electoral process.
The CEC, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S S Sandhu had begun a 3-day tour of Jammu and Kashmir from Srinagar on Thursday. The ECI team was in Srinagar to review poll preparedness as Assembly elections have not been held in the union territory since 2014.
Pertinently, Assembly elections have not been held in J&K since 2018, when the Assembly in what was then a State was dissolved. [KNT]
