Early Times Report
Jammu, May 25: After witnessing a remarkable voter turnout in the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar has hinted at the possibility of Assembly elections in the region soon. This announcement follows the impressive polling percentages in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituencies. Srinagar recorded 38 percent, Baramulla 59 percent, and Anantnag-Rajouri is likely to touch over 60 percent voter turnout respectively.
“The highly successful conduct of polls with impressive turnout in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri gives the Election Commission the confidence to hold Assembly polls in J&K at the earliest,” CEC Rajiv Kumar said.
He announced on Saturday that the first assembly elections in the Union Territory will be held “very soon.”
The CEC’s statement followed unprecedented polling in the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary seat during the fifth phase. Speaking to the media, Kumar emphasized that the Election Commission will soon initiate the process of holding Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing his happiness over the “historic” turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the region, the CEC noted that the public’s participation in the electoral process was both encouraging and positive. He highlighted the significant turnout across all segments of s The highly successful conduct of polls with impressive turnout in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri gives the Election Commission the confidence to hold Assembly polls in J&K at the earliest
Expressing his happiness over the “historic” turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the region, the CEC noted that the public’s participation in the electoral process was both encouraging and positive.
Roots of democracy are being strengthened in J&K with the participation of people in the democratic process.
J&K people deserve a popular government, and steps to initiate this process will be taken shortly.
“Roots of democracy are being strengthened in Jammu and Kashmir with the participation of people in the democratic process,” he said. He added that the people of the Union Territory deserve a popular government, and steps to initiate this process will be taken shortly.
Previously, the CEC had stated that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be announced at an “appropriate time.” In March, while announcing the Lok Sabha election schedule, he mentioned that the timing of the assembly polls would depend on security considerations and concurrent elections in the region.
CEC Rajiv Kumar reiterated that the security situation would be a crucial factor in determining the timing of the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. “The decision will be made at the right moment, considering the security context and other simultaneous elections in the region,” he stated. The CEC added that he would consult with security agencies and political stakeholders before making a final decision on conducting simultaneous polls in J&K.
Jammu and Kashmir is currently governed by a Lieutenant Governor (L-G) appointed by the Central Government, an arrangement in place since 2018. In December 2023, the Supreme Court ordered the Election Commission of India to conduct assembly polls in the Union Territory by September this year. | 