Amid Flip-Flop on J&K Poll Dates, EC to Hold Meeting on 30 April

On Friday, the poll panel reportedly sent a note regarding the polls, only to withdraw it within hours.

File Image of an election in Jammu & Kashmir. Used for representational purposes.

(Photo: PTI)

With the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls on its agenda, the Election Commission has sprung to action. However, there appears to be difference of opinion about the poll dates, reportedly leading to confusion.

Here is a lowdown of all the development on the state election in the last few days:

By When Should The Polls Be Conducted?

Following the withdrawal of support by BJP to the Mehbooba Mufti government, Governor’s rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir last June. On 21 November, Governor Satya Pal Malik unexpectedly dissolved the Legislative Assembly citing horse trading by some political parties.

Going by the rules, the EC is required to hold state polls by 21 May, which is six months of dissolution of the Assembly. However, this limitation does not apply if the sitaution is not conducive to holding free and fair polls.

What Are EC’s Preparations So Far?

While announcing the the schedule for Lok Sabha elections, the EC had said that in the wake of Pulwama attack and the subsequent law and order concerns, it decided against holding the state polls simultaneously.

The panel, however, appointed retired IAS officers Vinod Zutshi (1982 batch) and Noor Mohammed (1977 batch) and retired IPS officer AS Gill (1972 batch) as special observers to suggest poll dates. The observers submitted their report last week.

The EC officials will meet in the national capital on 30 April to discuss the possible dates of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, official sources said Friday.

On Friday, top officials from the Jammu and Kashmir government, including Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmaniam, Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra and DGP Dilbagh Singh, met the Election Commission, including the chief election commissioner, in Delhi to discuss the poll preparedness in the state, officials said.

What’s The Probable Date?

Reports say that the state administration suggested the Election Commission on Friday to hold the polls in November.

The administration is believed to have told the poll panel that the holy month of Ramzan falls in May, followed by Eid, during the first week of June. Further, in July, security forces will be busy for the 46-day long Amarnath pilgrimage.

Following which, the administration would require three months to sort out the logistics of the election.

Where’s The Confusion Then?

On Friday, 26 April, the poll panel reportedly sent a note regarding the polls, only to withdraw it within hours.

In a note sent by the additional chief electoral officer to district election officers, information was sought on the “forthcoming Assembly elections, 2019”, reported The Indian Express.

“I am directed to enclose herewith a format for submission of information regarding district level nodal officers for the “forthcoming Assembly elections, 2019” and request you to submit the same within two days positively. Matter may be treated as most urgent,” the first letter sent by the additional chief electoral officer read.

However, by evening, the additional CEO sent another note stating that the first note “stands withdrawn ab-initio”, the report said.

(With inputs from The Indian Express)