J&K Election: 'Der Aaye Durust Aaye,' Parties Welcome Poll Schedule Amid Concerns Over Police Transfers, Security

The Jammu and Kashmir election schedule 2024 was welcomed by the National Conference and the BJP, while Omar Abdullah raised concerns over recent transfers of officers.

File Photo of National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah with party president Farooq Abdullah

Source : PTI

The Election Commission of India has announced that the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases, with voting scheduled for September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes for the 90 assembly seats will take place on October 4. This marks the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah welcomed the announcement, stating, "Der aaye durust aaye' (better late than never). The schedule will be over in a short time, a rarity since the 1987-1988 elections in J&K. The National Conference was ready for this day and will soon begin its election campaign", as quoted by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | On Assembly poll in J&K to be held on Sept 18, 25 & October 1; Counting of votes on Oct 4, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah says, "...'Der aaye durust aaye'. The Election Commission has announced the dates of the elections in three phases. The schedule will be… pic.twitter.com/nDCZgloxoJ

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2024

However, Omar also raised concerns regarding the recent transfer of officers in Jammu and Kashmir. "We are writing to the Election Commission of India to investigate the transfers that occurred in the last 24 hours. We suspect these transfers have been made to benefit the B and C teams of the BJP by the Lieutenant Governor, who has been installed here by the BJP. Additionally, in the last 1-2 years, the security of some leaders has been reduced or withdrawn. We request the ECI to ensure that their security is restored."

#WATCH | On Assembly poll in J&K to be held on Sept 18, 25 & October 1; Counting of votes on Oct 4, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah says, "We are writing to the Election Commission of India that they should investigate the transfers that happened in J&K in the last 24… pic.twitter.com/Q4ZhEmMTdK

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2024

“We had requested them (ECI) to conduct the state elections along with parliamentary elections as done in some other states. However, it was not accepted. I hope people will participate in huge numbers in these elections. A fair field should be made for all parties,” NC president Farooq Abdullah told news agency PTI.

VIDEO | J&K Assembly Elections 2024: “We had requested them (ECI) to conduct the state elections along with parliamentary elections as done in some other states. However, it was not accepted. I hope people will participate in huge numbers in these elections. A fair field should… pic.twitter.com/3WXHKlzPID

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 16, 2024

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM and Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad welcomed the announcement and appreciated the ECI for reducing the polling phases. "The troubles that people have faced for the past 10 years will end after this election. The Election Commission has also made a positive change by reducing the election period from three months to one-third of that time. We are very happy. It is not as important who will form the government, but it is crucial that after 10 years, people get the chance to elect their leaders and representatives," he told PTI.

VIDEO | "The troubles that people have faced for the past 10 years will end after this election. The Election Commission has also made a positive change by reducing the election period from three months to one-third of that time. We are very happy. It is not as important who will… pic.twitter.com/SoahhcJqGM

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 16, 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in-charge of Jammu & Kashmir, Tarun Chugh, expressed optimism about the elections, stating, "The announcement of dates for the Assembly elections in J&K and Haryana is worth welcoming. Under the leadership of PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir has become free of Article 370. People have faith in PM Modi, and J&K is moving forward. BJP will contest the elections in J&K, and we are confident of receiving the blessings of the public."

#WATCH | Assembly poll in J&K will be held in three phases, with voting on Sep 18, Sep 25, and Oct 1;counting of votes on October 4.

BJP in-charge of Jammu & Kashmir, Tarun Chugh says "The announcement of dates of the Assembly Elections in J&K and Haryana is worth… pic.twitter.com/Uudg2nTGRT

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2024

The Congress expressed disappointment that all assembly election schedules were not announced today. Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence day speech, senior leader Pawan Khera told PTI, “We were expecting that dates for all four Assemblies will be announced because only yesterday we heard the Prime Minister loudly shouting that there should be ‘One Nation, One Election’. Now if they can’t do four Assemblies together, then why do they give these hollow slogans? The expectation of the Congress is that we will win all four, two we will win in October and the other two, we’ll win in December.” 

This reaction comes as the ECI did not reveal the Maharashtra and Jharkhand poll schedule today.

VIDEO | “We were expecting that dates for all four Assemblies will be announced because only yesterday we heard the Prime Minister loudly shouting that there should be ‘One Nation, One Election’. Now if they can’t do four Assemblies together, then why do they give these hollow… pic.twitter.com/TYH0w03G9y

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 16, 2024

Former MLA of Rajpora and NC leader Gh Mohiuddin Mir also praised the Election Commission's decision. "I congratulate the Election Commission for announcing the election schedule. Now, we will get relief from bureaucratic rule, and a people's government will be established here," he said.

#WATCH | Assembly poll in J&K will be held in 3 phases, with voting on Sep 18, Sep 25 & Oct 1; Counting of votes on Oct 4

National Conference (NC) leader and Ex-Mla Rajpora Gh Mohiuddin Mir says, "I congratulate the Election Commission for announcing the election schedule... Now… pic.twitter.com/o6cdE3fFwV

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2024

The Jammu and Kashmir units of the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Friday expressed their approval of the Election Commission's announcement regarding the upcoming assembly polls.

Pradesh Congress Committee senior vice-president and chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma, reacting to the announcement by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, told PTI, "Better late than never." He further noted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been awaiting these assembly elections for six years, following the fall of the PDP-BJP government in June 2018.

While acknowledging the delay, Sharma said, "Though we were pressing for the restoration of full statehood before the holding of assembly elections, the announcement by the Election Commission is a welcome step, and we are hopeful that the commission will ensure a level playing field and adequate security without any discrimination."

Sharma also urged the Election Commission to scrutinise the recent large-scale reshuffle in the police and civil administration that coincided with the announcement of the polls. "There should be no unnecessary transfers, and if such a thing has happened, the Election Commission should take appropriate action," he added.

Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami also welcomed the Election Commission's decision. "It is welcome that after a long time, the Election Commission has announced the schedule for elections to the assembly. We also welcome the statement of the EC that it will be a full democratic exercise by ensuring a level playing field to all parties and contestants, besides sufficient security for candidates and votes as well," Tarigami remarked, as quoted by PTI.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar assured that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is under control, despite a recent spike in terror incidents. He stated that sufficient security cover would be provided to ensure a smooth election process. 

The last assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held in November-December 2014.

Jammu And Kashmir: Senior Police Officers Transferred Ahead Of Poll Schedule

In a major shakeup, the Jammu and Kashmir administration transferred several senior police officers on Friday, with the intelligence wing receiving a new chief. This development came a day after senior IPS officer Nalin Prabhat was appointed as Special Director General (DG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, set to assume the role of the force's chief following the retirement of R R Swain on September 30. These changes in the Union Territory’s police force, along with several transfers and postings in the civil administration, are viewed by many as a precursor to the assembly elections.