Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar assured on Friday that no internal or external forces will be allowed to disrupt the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The elections are planned to be held “at the earliest.”
Kumar, who concluded a two-day visit to the Union Territory with an Election Commission delegation, emphasised that all regional political parties have called for the assembly elections to be conducted soon. This visit marks the initial steps toward organizing the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since it was downgraded to a Union Territory on August 5, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370.
The three-member EC team, led by Kumar and including Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S.S. Sandhu, is preparing for the elections ahead of the Supreme Court’s September 30 deadline for their completion. Kumar assured that the commission is committed to holding the elections promptly and is confident that any attempts to disrupt the process will be met with robust responses from the public.
During the visit, the delegation met with representatives from nine political parties, including major regional players like the National Conference and the PDP, as well as the BJP, Congress, AAP, BSP, CPIM, and the J&K National Panthers Party. All parties expressed a strong desire for early elections, believing it essential for the formation of a local government.
Kumar noted that the political representatives appreciated the Election Commission’s role in the recent parliamentary elections, which were conducted with high voter turnout and without major incidents. He highlighted the parties’ consensus on the importance of conducting the assembly elections promptly and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates.
Addressing concerns about recent security issues, Kumar assured that the electoral process will not be disrupted. “The administration is fully capable of managing security challenges,” he said, stressing that enthusiasm and voter turnout will remain high despite any obstacles.
The CEC also outlined directives on security, voter facilities, and creating an optimal environment for the elections, emphasizing proactive measures at polling stations to encourage participation, particularly among young voters.
Earlier, in Srinagar, students organized events such as a ‘Run for Democracy,’ a cycle rally, and a shikara rally to promote the importance of voting and their commitment to democracy.