The top government source on Friday sought the direction of Election Commission to move ahead of the dates for the assembly elections in the Jammu and Kashmir from June citing many “religious festivals” during the period that might tilt the electoral balance for the assembly polls.
The governor’s administration of state opposed the proposal to hold the assembly election in June and urged the Election Commission to hold the assembly elections in November later this year.
The government has reported that the period has Ramzan Yatra, tourism season and Bakarwal migration and thus the assembly elections should be further delayed.
Jammu and Kashmir have been under president’s rule since last December after the expiry of six months of Governor’s rule in December. The state fell into a political crisis after Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) withdrew its support to People Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mehbooba Mufti last year in June.
After the Lok Sabha elections date were announced on March 10, the Chief Election Commissioner, Sunil Arora had said that the elections for Jammu and Kashmir assembly will not be held along with the parliamentary elections and would be held later with proper security forces.
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its three phases of polling on April 11, April 18, and April 23. The remaining two phases will go to polls on April 29 and May 6.
The results for the 17th Lok Sabha polls will be announced on May 23.
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