Political leaders urge immediate Assembly Elections in JK; ‘EC to hold key meeting’

Srinagar, Aug 08 :

Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have strongly urged the Election Commission (EC) to promptly schedule assembly elections in the region. This call for swift action was made during a significant meeting at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), where representatives from various political parties engaged with the EC team led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

The discussions revealed a unified demand among the leaders for immediate elections, emphasizing the need to restore democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was part of the EC’s three-day visit to assess the region’s election readiness and to gather feedback from political stakeholders.

During this visit, the EC team, including Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S.S. Sandhu, is conducting a thorough review of logistical and administrative arrangements necessary for a smooth electoral process. They are meeting with representatives from various political parties to understand their concerns and expectations, ensuring that all measures are in place for a fair and efficient election.

Leaders from the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKPP) have collectively demanded that assembly elections be held without further delay. This consensus among the parties reflects the shared urgency to restore democratic governance in the region.

The leaders stressed that the prolonged absence of elected representatives has created a significant democratic deficit. They highlighted the importance of conducting timely elections to re-establish local governance, address public grievances, and ensure that the voices of the people are heard.

The Supreme Court has directed the central government to complete the assembly election process in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30. This directive underscores the urgency of holding the elections to ensure the democratic process resumes without further delay. However, the Election Commission has yet to announce a specific schedule for the polls, which has added to the growing concerns among political leaders about the timely restoration of democratic governance.

BJP spokesperson R.S. Pathania urged that elections be held as soon as possible, adhering to the Supreme Court’s deadline. National Conference (NC) Kashmir President Nasir Aslam Wani highlighted the critical need for elections, noting that there has been no functioning government since 2018. Congress leader G.N. Monga also called for the urgent restoration of democracy, voicing concerns about uneven security measures for different political parties. PDP leader Khurshid Alam pointed to the improvement in the situation and the safe conduct of major events as reasons to avoid further delays in the elections.

The Election Commission is set to continue reviewing election preparations with district officials and law enforcement over the coming days, with a comprehensive review meeting scheduled in Jammu on August 10. This visit will conclude with a press conference to address any remaining issues and outline the next steps.