NEW DELHI: In the wake of Pulwama terror attack and the continuing political unrest, the Election Commission will visit Jammu and Kashmir on March 4 and 5 to take stock of the situation in the state to decide whether the Assembly election will be conducted at the time of Lok Sabha elections or after that.
The Commission comprising Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena, DG (Expenditure) Dileep Sharma, ADG (SPS) Sheyphali B Sharan, Director Nikhil Kumar and Principal Secretary Standhone Yuhlung will meet state administration, police force, seven national parties and three state parties.
The Jammu and Kashmir is under President’s Rule since December 21, 2018 and before that state was under the Governor’s rule for six months after the BJP withdrew their support to the coalition government led by PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti.
The PDP, Congress and the National Conference had staked their claim to form the government. However, the Governor dissolved the Assembly.
The Commission may announce the decision on Jammu and Kashmir and the dates for the Lok Sabha polls after the visit, sources said.
As per rules, the poll body is entrusted to conduct Assembly polls simultaneously or just after the Lok Sabha polls as the President Rule will end on June 20 in Jammu and Kashmir.
It is learned that the Election Commission has already consulted with the Home Ministry as well as state administration about to conduct the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls together.
According to sources, the state administration has conveyed that they could conduct the polls together if the Centre is able to provide adequate security, which is estimated that 800 companies of paramilitary forces.
Jammu and Kashmir is on the boil after 40 CRPF personal lost their lives in a deadly terrorist attack in Pulwama on February 14.
(AGENCIES)
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