Srinagar, Aug 9: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar has maintained that the exact dates for the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections will be announced after the Election Commission conducts a final security requirement assessment in Delhi. Despite this uncertainty, Kumar assured that the Election Commission (EC) is dedicated to holding the Assembly polls at the earliest, emphasizing that minor attempts to disrupt the process would not derail the electoral exercise.
In a press conference held in Jammu, Kumar, addressed concerns about potential security threats and stressed that the situation would not result in a “Chicken and Egg” scenario. “Our forces are fully capable of handling the situation. We will not allow these small attempts to derail the election process in Jammu & Kashmir,” he stated. He also mentioned that exact poll dates would be determined following a comprehensive security assessment conducted in Delhi.
Kumar highlighted that all political parties in Jammu & Kashmir are united in their desire for early elections. “The feedback we received from security heads, administrative officers, and district police chiefs indicates that while there are some security challenges, they are prepared to ensure peaceful elections,” he added.
The CEC, who was accompanied by two Election Commissioners, noted that his previous visit to the region was related to the Lok Sabha elections. “Following the delimitation of Jammu & Kashmir in May 2022 and the passage of the J&K Reorganisation Act in December, we began preparations for elections,” Kumar said. He praised the high voter turnout during the Lok Sabha polls and the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, highlighting the notable participation of women and youth.
Political parties in Srinagar and Jammu had commended the EC for the peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections and requested specific measures, including polling booths within a two-kilometer radius and CCTV coverage of polling stations. Kumar confirmed that these demands have been addressed and instructions have been issued accordingly.
In response to concerns about the Supreme Court’s deadline for September, Kumar emphasized that no internal or external forces would delay the elections. “The people of Jammu & Kashmir will give a strong response to any disruptive forces,” he asserted.
The CEC also addressed requests for a level playing field for political parties and streamlined security for politicians. “We have taken note of these demands and will ensure that there is a fair playing field and a comprehensive security review for politicians,” Kumar said. He added that polling stations would not be merged at the last minute except for a few cases due to geographical constraints.
