Opposing simultaneous LS, Assembly polls
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 20: With Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Jammu and Kashmir administration opposing conduct of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State in April-May citing security reasons, the Election Commission of India has sought written report from the MHA after which the Commission will visit the State and examine situation on ground before taking a final call.
Official sources told the Excelsior that MHA team headed by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Jammu and Kashmir officials led by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam voiced concern over security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of Pulwama attack and requirement of large number of para-military companies for conducting simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in April-May.
As general elections have to be held across the country, the Central Government might not be in a position to spare large number of companies for the simultaneous elections, which will raise number of candidates. The MHA and J&K reportedly cited that for six seats of Lok Sabha, there would be around 30 candidates while for 87 Assembly seats, number of candidates could be between 800 to 900 and it would be a tough task to ensure their protection. Moreover, they pointed out, number of rallies would also go up drastically if the Assembly elections are clubbed with Lok Sabha polls.
They said some other security concerns have also been cited by the MHA as well as the J&K administration over clubbing the two elections.
The Election Commission of India is now understood to have asked the MHA to send in writing a detailed report on security situation, requirement of para-military forces and other concerns raised by it over simultaneous conduct of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, sources said, adding that after receiving the MHA reply, the full Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora, would visit Jammu and Kashmir for assessment of the situation on its own before taking a decision on whether to hold Assembly elections in the State with Lok Sabha polls or defer them.
The Commission could visit J&K in the first week of March to assess the situation as it was likely to announce schedule for elections to Lok Sabha and four Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim around March 7. The Commission had to announce the same day whether it would be holding or deferring J&K Assembly elections.
There was a proposal that if the Election Commission wants to hold the Assembly elections with Lok Sabha polls, the Assembly elections could be held after completion of general elections in major States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Naxalism-hit States so that additional para-military forces are spared for J&K. However, this proposal might not get through as prolonged elections would have security implications.
Never in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections have been held simultaneously. Only during 1977, 1996 and 2014, they were held in the same year, sources pointed out, adding the MHA could propose conduct of Assembly elections in October-November this year when tourist season and annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine will be completed.
However, according to sources, if the Assembly elections are deferred, the new Government, which will be formed at Centre before May 26, would decide on conduct of the Assembly polls.
The Legislative Assembly was dissolved on November 21 by Governor Satya Pal Malik following claims and counter claims on formation of Government by Mehbooba Mufti-led grand alliance comprising PDP, NC and Congress and Sajjad Ghani Lone led formation comprising BJP MLAs and some PDP defectors.
The fresh Assembly had to be constituted before May 21 i.e. within six months of dissolution of the House. However, if the elections are deferred, the Central Government can extend President’s rule in the State, which will complete six months on June 20.
Governor’s rule was imposed in the State on June 20, 2018 after the BJP withdrew support to Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition Government. The six month period of Governor’s rule expired on December 20, 2018 after which the President’s rule was imposed for six months.
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