The Election Commission of India on Tuesday asserted that almost all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir want State Assembly Elections to be clubbed with the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls due for April-May. The Poll body also said that all almost all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed full faith in the ECI too.
The ECI team that also includes Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora was on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the situations to take a call whether Lok Sabha Polls and State Polls can be clubbed. The Election Commission was slated to visit the valley in Mid February but the visit was delayed aftermath Pulwama Terror Attack that claimed lives of at least 40 CRPF Jawans.
During the visit, the poll body held discussions with all the major political players of the valley including – National Conference, Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Front (PDP), Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Indian National Congress, CPI(M) and the National Panthers Party (NPP).
As a part of the visit ECI team on Tuesday reviewed preparations in Jammu Region while on Monday, it took stock of the situations in Srinagar to assess whether both State Polls and General Elections can be clubbed.
Addressing the press, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said ‘Commission had discussions with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, DGP, Union Home Secretary, & all political parties. We will consider everything and inform about the decision at a press conference in Delhi”
He said after taking into consideration all the viewpoints of all the stakeholders, we will take a call in New Delhi whether to go for simultaneous polls or not.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on if J&K polls will be held along with LS polls: Commission had discussions with J&K Chief Secretary, DGP, Union Home Secretary, & all political parties. We'll consider everything & inform about the decision at a press conference in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/VT8Rt9aYtn
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2019
On the Issue of EVMs and VVAPTs, CEC Sunil Arora said ‘We have been using EVMs for more than 2 decades now, very strange even if you take from 2014 onwards, there were a Lok Sabha polls in Delhi, there was X result, some political entity won. Then in Delhi Assembly polls, another political entity won with a heavy margin’ he said.
He further added ‘After that, there were many polls, Karnataka, 5 states, everywhere results differently. Sorry to say we have made EVMs a football, if the result is X, EVM is good if the result is Y EVM is not good as if EVM is voting. It’s you and I who are voting, so no point in going over this again’.
CEC Sunil Arora: We have been using EVMs for more than 2 decades, very strange even if you take from 2014 onwards, there was a LS poll in Delhi, there was X result, some political entity won. Then in Delhi Assembly polls, another political entity won with heavy margin. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/OhtQn7q79U
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2019
CEC Arora: After that there were many polls,K'tka,5 states,everywhere results different.Sorry to say we have made EVMs a football, if result is X,EVM is good if result is Y EVM is not good as if EVM is voting. It’s you&I who are voting,so no point in going over this again (2/2) https://t.co/2XpackV34Z
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2019
Responding on the query from a Scribe whether it’s a right time to hold Election following a Pulwama Terror Attack and Amidst High Tension Between Indo-Pak Borders, Sunil Arora said, We had held decision with State Machinery Officials, have seen the best Presentation and It does not seem like they are having under any fear. They are not under any intimation under the circumstances.
Currently, Jammu and Kashmir is under President’s rule, that was imposed in the valley after 6 months rule Governor expired on December 20 last year.
READ: Centre gives a nod to President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir
The Political Crisis in the Jammu and Kashmir occurred in June 2018 when PDP led Coalition Government was collapsed in 87-member assembly after the withdrawal of support by 25 Bharatiya Janata Party’s Lawmakers in the valley.
The Governor Satya Pal Malik had in November 2018 dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly citing reports of Horse-Trading, poaching. Later, Governor Satyapal Malik said “Delhi wanted Sajad, But I didn’t want to be ‘Dishonest’.
Earlier on January 28 (Tuesday), State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shailendra Kumar reviewed and interacted with the district election officers through video conferencing and look after the progress of preparations for the impending Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state.
ALSO READ:
- Chief Electoral Officer reviews poll preparedness in J&K with DEOs ahead of Lok Sabha and State Elections
- Separatist Leader Yasin Malik, Several Others Detained by J&K Police Ahead of SC Hearing on Article 35A
- J&K Governor Dissolves Assembly; Cites reports of horse trading and possible exchange of money to gain power