CEC Rajiv Kumar Interacts With Political Parties In J&K To Assess LS Poll Preparedness

The Election Commission of India has held talks with political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to review preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

With Lok Sabha polls just around the corner, the Election Commission of India, on Tuesday began its consultations with Jammu and Kashmir's political parties in order to review preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the Union Territory. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar accompanied by other poll panel officials arrived in the UT on a three-day visit where they interacted with the delegations from BJP, PDP, AAP, CPI(M), and the National Conference party.

National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani led his party's delegation and stated that they stressed during their interaction with the Election Commission the need to conduct assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir along with the Lok Sabha polls, news agency PTI reported.

He stated that his party told the commission that it had been nearly 10 years since the people of the union territory were deprived of their democratic rights. "The commission gave us a patient hearing," he added.

PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura stated that his party also raised a similar request to hold assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously during their interaction with the Election Commission, adding that it was now up to the electoral body to decide on the matter.

As per officials, the poll panel will hold a detailed review of the election preparedness with the superintendents of police and District Election Officers after meeting with the political parties. 

On Tuesday evening, the Election Commission officials will likely interact with J&K's Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole, and nodal officers of the state police. A similar meeting will also be held in Jammu on Wednesday, PTI reported.

As per PTI's reports, there has been a surge in the demand from J&K's political quarters to simultaneously hold assembly polls with the Lok Sabha polls or immediately after the general elections of 2024.

Former Chief Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad and Farooq Abdullah have also raised the same demand in the past two weeks.

Atal Dulloo, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Secretary held a meeting with the police and civil administration to sensitise them about the various measures that must be taken to ensure the Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory are conducted smoothly.