ECI, admin ready to hold polls; will take final call after reviewing availability of SFs, says CEC

‘SC deadline in mind, terror attacks won’t impact schedule’

Jammu: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Friday said that while all political parties and administration of Union Territory are ready for assembly elections, the Election Commission will decide on the timing after reviewing the availability of security forces at New Delhi, ensuring that no internal or external forces disrupt the upcoming electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu at the end of the two-day visit of an Election Commission delegation to the Union Territory, Kumar emphasised that all political parties in the region have sought for the assembly elections to take place soon.
“Now, the time has come to take forward the dreams you people have shown us by turning up in large numbers and standing in long queues at polling stations during the recent Lok Sabha elections, and to give you your own elected government through (assembly) elections,” he said adding "We are committed to conducting elections at the earliest in Jammu and Kashmir. We are confident that the people will respond robustly to any disruptive forces and increase their participation when elections are held," Kumar said.
Accompanied by Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S S Sandhu, the CEC highlighted that the timing for the elections is right, especially in light of the successful parliamentary elections held recently.
"We are ready to build on the successes of the parliamentary elections. We will first review the availability of security forces in New Delhi, keeping in mind the Supreme Court's deadline of September 30. We will keep you informed about the timeline for elections," he added.
While addressing concerns regarding the recent spurt in terror attacks, Kumar reassured that security issues would not hinder the electoral process.
"There have been some minor changes in the security situation since the parliamentary elections, but these will not disrupt the elections. The administration is fully capable of managing such challenges," he asserted.
Kumar emphasised that the enthusiasm and the expected high voter turnout in the upcoming polls would not be diminished by any challenges.
“These cannot be the basis of delaying polls (in J&K).We are working with full commitment and resolve that nothing will be allowed to disrupt the elections. If we don't, it will become a chicken-and-egg situation. Whenever we will talk about elections, such activities will increase and we will be forced to step back. That will be like conceding defeat without even fighting. That won't happen," Kumar assured.
Saying that the flag of 'jamhuriyat' (democracy) was raised and would be raised further, he said, "These things will not have an impact on the elections at all. Our forces and the administration are capable enough to deal with any situation that arises."
The CEC, on being asked if the other states that will have polls this year will see elections along with J&K, said that different states have different dates for completion of terms and hence the decisions will be taken accordingly.
“As far as J&K polls are concerned, our review has been completed and the Yatra will also end on the 19th (of August)…We will go back to Delhi and calculate the security assessment and force deployment and will announce the polls accordingly,” Kumar said.
Kumar said that they have a positive challenge before them too — huge participation from candidates and the voters. “This is a positive challenge that we accept with all happiness.
Everyone has been directed to encourage and prepare for mass participation,” he said.
The EC delegation was in Srinagar on Thursday where they met representatives of political parties as well as senior officials including Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo and Director General of Police R R Swain.
During their visit, the delegation engaged with representatives from nine political parties, including the mainstream regional parties like the National Conference and the PDP besides the BJP, Congress, AAP, BSP, CPIM and the J&K National Panthers Party.
Kumar said there was unanimous agreement among the parties on the importance of conducting assembly elections promptly, emphasising the need for elected representatives to foster better connections with the public.
"All parties expressed their desire for early elections, believing it is crucial for the people to form their own government," he noted.
Kumar said the political representatives acknowledged the role of the EC in the recent parliamentary elections in bolstering public faith in the electoral process, with high voter turnout and no major incidents reported.
"These are recognised parties in the state. All parties unanimously praised the people and the Election Commission for conducting peaceful and historic parliamentary elections in J-K," Kumar said.
The CEC noted that the parties also called for a level playing field in the polls.
"They emphasised the need for elected representatives to connect better with the people, ensuring the progress of democracy in the region. They believe that the people should form their own government," he said.
The CEC outlined directives regarding security, voter facilities, and creating an optimal environment for the elections.
He stressed the importance of proactive measures at polling stations to encourage participation, particularly among young voters.
The CEC also shared that as per the draft roll published in July 2024, the total electors in Jammu & Kashmir stand at 87.09 lakh, including 44.46 lakh male and 42.62 lakh females. The UT has 169 transgenders and 73,943 very senior citizens. At least 2,660 voters are above the age of 100 years while 3.71 lakh are first-time voters.
Further, the UT will have 11,838 polling stations with an average of 735 voters per centre.
The Union Territory has 90 assembly seats — 74 are for general category, 7 for SC category and nine for the ST category.
For Kashmiri migrants, the ECI has scrapped the requirement of Form M and will set up 26 special polling stations in Delhi, Jammu and Udhampur.
This was the first major exercise for preparing the grounds for holding the maiden assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after it was downgraded to a Union Territory on August 5, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.
The visit of the three-member EC team led by Kumar comes ahead of the September 30 deadline given by the Supreme Court earlier this year for the completion of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier in Srinagar, some enthusiastic students in Kashmir came together to promote the importance of voting and express their faith in democracy.
They participated in several programmes, including a 'Run for Democracy', a cycle rally and a shikara rally at the SKICC here.
Chanting slogans like 'we are proud voters', the youngsters pledged to be the ambassadors of democracy in the valley.
Updated On 8/10/2024 1:35:28 PM