The call for immediate assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir was the main demand expressed by political leaders from the Union Territory (UT) during a meeting with the visiting Election Commission (EC) team on Thursday.
Led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the EC delegation, including Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu, arrived in Srinagar in the morning.
They met with representatives from various political parties, such as the National Conference (NC), People's Democratic Party (PDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKPP) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).
The three-day visit by the EC team aims to review the preparedness for the upcoming assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir and collect feedback from political parties.
Following the meeting, political leaders unanimously called for immediate assembly elections in the UT. They stressed the need for a level playing field to ensure the restoration of democracy in the region.
The Supreme Court has instructed the Central government to complete the election process by September 30, but the EC has yet to announce the poll schedule.
BJP's Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson RS Pathania stated, "We told the EC that we want elections to be conducted as soon as possible." He added that the party aims to hold elections within the Supreme Court's deadline.
NC Kashmir provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, who led a five-member party delegation, also demanded immediate elections.
"Our only demand is that the people of J&K now want to have their government. We told the EC that you came here many times and we met you, but now there should be some decision on it," Wani said.
Wani highlighted that J&K has had no government since 2018 and legislative elections have not taken place for the past decade.
He noted that political, developmental, and security issues can be effectively addressed when people have their representatives. He expressed hope that the Supreme Court's deadline would be met.
Wani also pointed out that elections have occurred during challenging times, such as in 1996 when the situation was dire. He questioned the EC's credibility should they delay the elections further.
After these meetings, the EC will review preparations with election officers, district police superintendents, the chief secretary, and the director general of police.
The EC team's visit will conclude on August 10 in Jammu, where they will hold a review meeting with law enforcement agencies and a press conference.
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