Aura News Desk
Srinagar, March 13: Chief Election Commissioner of India, Rajiv Kumar, announced on Wednesday that the Election Commission will decide on holding concurrent Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir after comprehensive consultations with security agencies and political parties.
Expressing equal concern for both Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the region, Rajiv Kumar stated during a press conference in Jammu that the Commission is eager to conduct the elections promptly. “Regarding the possibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, we will engage in extensive consultations with security agencies and gather feedback from political parties,” he remarked in response to queries about the Commission’s intentions.
Addressing security concerns, the Chief Election Commissioner mentioned plans to assess the security requirements for both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections separately, as well as in the event of holding them concurrently.
Highlighting the voter demographics, Kumar stated that Jammu and Kashmir has 86.9 lakh voters, including first-time voters and those aged over 100. He assured the public of fair and free elections, urging citizens to report any instances of misconduct, violence, or misinformation on the cvigil portal, promising swift action within 100 minutes of complaint registration.
Regarding the recent visit of the ECI team to Kashmir and Jammu, Kumar disclosed that most political parties they met in Srinagar supported the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. However, some parties raised concerns about the reduction of security cover for their candidates and restrictions on political activities.
He also addressed the issue of low participation of migrant voters and announced official visits to migrant voters in Jammu to encourage their participation in the electoral process.
Additionally, Kumar revealed that out of the total voters, there are approximately 44 lakh male and 42 lakh female voters, with a nearly equal gender ratio. He also noted the presence of 67,000 voters with disabilities, over 77,000 voters aged over 85, and 2,886 centenarians, as well as more than 3.4 lakh first-time voters.
Highlighting the significance of electoral victory as a celebration of democracy, Kumar mentioned a new facility allowing persons with disabilities to vote from home, with the process being videographed. This initiative aligns with a Supreme Court judgment advocating for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and the holding of Assembly polls before September 2024.
