Jammu And Kashmir Polls To Be Held 'At Right Time' Keeping In Mind Security Situation, Other Elections: ECI

CEC Rajiv Kumar on Monday said that the Election Commission will take a decision on the Jammu and Kashmir polls at the "right time" after taking into consideration the security situation in the UT.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday said that the top poll body will hold the much-awaited elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at the "right time" and will accordingly inform the same. During a question-answer session after his press briefing on the preparedness and dates for assembly election in five states, Kumar said that the security situation will be taken into account before conducting polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The decision to be taken at the right time as per the security situation and other simultaneous elections in the state," the CEC said.

#WATCH | On being asked about the election in Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, "The decision to be taken at the right time as per the security situation and other simultaneous elections in the state." pic.twitter.com/7TkzWfKNyw

— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2023

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates of polls for the five states-- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram. The voting will be held on November 7, 17, 23 and 30 and the counting of votes will take place on December 30.

Madhya Pradesh: Nov 17

Rajasthan: Nov 23

Chhattisgarh: Nov 7, 17

Telangana: Nov 30

Mizoram: Nov 7

Results: Dec 3

ECI stated that elections will be completed by December 5.

 

EC Aims To Track Seizures By Agencies During Election Period

The ECI also announced the launching of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) to be used during elections 2023, for the first time.

"ESMS is a tech platform for real-time updates on seizures from the field by multifarious state and central enforcement agencies. Ensures seamless coordination and intelligence sharing amongst enforcement agencies. To be used for first time in 5 state assembly elections," it said.

CEC Rajiv Kumar said that 50 per cent of polling booths will have the webcasting facility which will be available at 1.01 lakh polling stations. He said that 17,734 model polling stations will be set up across five states.

"For the upcoming Assembly Elections 2023 in 5 states, 1.77 lakh polling stations will be set up in 679 ACs. Over 1 lakh Polling Stations will have a webcasting facility. Average elector per polling station  is well below #ECI norms of 1500 electors per polling station in all five states," he said.

He also informed the media that from Oct 17 to Nov 30, voters can apply for change/modification in voter information through BLO or online, says CEC Rajiv Kumar.