'Don't Interfere': Election Commission Pulls Up Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor For Remarks On Poll Timeline

The hard-hitting statement was in reference to several news reports which recently attributed Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor who was quoted as saying that elections in the Union territory can be held after the ongoing delimitation exercise.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Srinagar: Amid the pool of speculations over the Jammu and Kashmir elections, the poll body Election Commission of India (EC) today asked the officials not to interfere as the decisions on the timings of conducting elections can only be made by the election panel. ALSO READ | Ayodhya Ram Mandir: Preparations For Bhumi Pujan Underway; 10 Important Developments You Need To Know In a statement released on Tuesday, the EC said, "It would be proper for authorities other than Election Commission to refrain from  making such statements which virtually tantamount to interfering with the Constitutional mandate of Election Commission." The hard-hitting statement was in reference to several news reports which recently attributed Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor GC Murmu who was quoted as saying that elections in the Union territory can be held after the ongoing delimitation exercise. "Election Commission takes exception to such statements and would like to state that in the Constitutional scheme of things, the timings etc. of elections is the sole remit of Election Commission of India." It can be recalled that the elections have not been held in the union territory in past two years after since the elected government collapsed, with the poll body citing security concerns. The polls were speculated to be held in April-May along with national elections however the poll body junked it citing security reasons. Speaking on this note, the polling agency briefed that "Before deciding the timing, the Commission takes into consideration all the relevant factors including topography, weather, sensitivities arising out of regional and local festivities in the area(s) where the election is to take place." "For example, in the current times, COVID- 19 has introduced a new dynamic, which has to be and shall be taken into consideration at the due time. In the instant case, the outcome of Delimitation is also germane to the decision. Similarly, availability of central forces and railway coaches, etc. for the transportation of CPFs are important factors," EC said in the release. It further said that all this is done after meticulous homework by the senior officials of the Commission and a detailed assessment in due consultation with concerned authorities. The Commission itself schedules a visit to the concerned State wherever required and holds extensive consultations with all the stakeholders.