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| EC cryptically silent | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Oct 11: The full Election Commission today had yet another meeting in New Delhi but a decision on assembly election schedule is still hanging in suspense as a cryptic silence is being maintained by the poll body.
Reports said that full Election Commission on Saturday held discussions on holding assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, amid indications that a decision may be announced early next week.
Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami and the other two Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi met to assess the situation in the sensitive state, fuelling speculation that the poll schedule would be announced on Saturday. However, EC sources refused to give any indications about the possible date, agencies reported.
Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta had briefed the EC on Friday on the availability of the security forces and the government's readiness to hold the elections on time. Government sources had said the polling is likely to be staggered in three to four phases to facilitate smooth movement of security personnel for holding peaceful polling.
The EC's meeting with top Home Ministry officials took place after the panel returned here following a two-day visit to the state this week when it met various political parties to elicit their views on the timing of the elections. The EC delegation had also met senior civil and police officials in the state to review the poll preparations.
During the discussions the EC had with political parties in Srinagar, Kashmir-based parties said they would abide by the decision of the Commission though they claimed that the current atmosphere was not conducive for the elections. The BJP and the Left wanted immediate elections while the Congress said it was the Commission's call.
The term of the Assembly, which was dissolved following the breakup of the Congress-PDP coalition in the wake of the Amarnath land transfer row, would have ended on November 20. But since the state was placed under Governor's rule, the elections have to be held before January 10. |
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