Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar embarked on a three-day visit to Srinagar on Monday to assess the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir, slated to be held in April-May.
The Election Commission team, comprising Kumar and nine other EC officials, arrived with a focus on reviewing logistical arrangements and ensuring the smooth conduct of the electoral process. No formal engagements were scheduled for the team on Monday, officials confirmed.
Detailed meetings with civil administration and police officials are set to take place on Tuesday, forming a crucial part of the review process. Additionally, the EC officials are slated to meet representatives from various political parties during their visit.Similar interactions are scheduled to take place in Jammu on Wednesday, with the possibility of media engagements as well, according to officials.
The visit comes against the backdrop of mounting demands from political quarters in Jammu and Kashmir for simultaneous or immediate Assembly polls following the Lok Sabha elections. Former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad have recently reiterated this demand. As the Election Commission’s review progresses, stakeholders are keenly observing developments, with anticipation building ahead of the crucial electoral process in the region.
