J&K Assembly Polls: ECI to visit J&K on August 8

SRINAGAR — In a significant development, a high-level team of the Election Commission of India (ECI) is arriving in Jammu & Kashmir on a three-day visit from August 8 to review preparedness for the much-awaited Assembly polls in the Union Territory.

The Full Commission, comprising Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, will be visiting the Union Territory from August 8 to hold meetings with political parties and officials to review preparedness for the polls. Additionally, they will also hold discussions with police to review security arrangements for the polls.

The ECI announced its visit to J&K two days after it directed the J&K Government to shift officers serving in their home districts, and also those who have served in a particular district for three years during the past four years.

Sources told the news agency KNO that the poll body would first hold meetings with political parties after their arrival here on August 8.

The Commission would also meet the chief electoral officer, state police nodal officer and central forces coordinator to discuss preparations for the polls.

According to sources, the Commission will also hold meetings with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police RR Swain and deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police of all 20 districts here.

On August 10, the Commission is expected to review preparedness for the polls in Jammu and hold a media briefing there before returning to New Delhi.

Jammu & Kashmir has been without an elected government since June 19, 2018, when the BJP withdrew support to the Mehbooba Mufti-led government, citing “deteriorating” security situation in the erstwhile state. The last Assembly election in J&K was held in 2014.

On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court had directed the poll body to conduct J&K Assembly polls by September 30, 2024.