The Election Commission of India (ECI) is currently on a pivotal visit to Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, along with a delegation of twelve members. Their primary objective is to oversee the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the region.
During their three-day visit, the ECI team aims to engage with various stakeholders and political parties to discuss the potential of holding assembly elections in J&K concurrently with the parliamentary polls or with four other states whose assembly terms are expiring soon.
As part of their agenda, the ECI team is scheduled to meet representatives from several political parties at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, followed by a similar meeting in Jammu.
The discussions will revolve around addressing grievances and requests from the parties, aligning with their respective viewpoints. Key political parties, including the J&K BJP and Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), have finalized their delegations to engage with the ECI team.
The BJP delegation, led by R S Pathania and Parimoksh Seth, will express the party's perspectives on the democratic process and related issues, emphasizing readiness for both Lok Sabha and assembly polls.
On the other hand, the JKPCC delegation aims to stress the urgency of conducting assembly elections in line with the directives from the Supreme Court. They assert the importance of ensuring democratic representation and fulfilling the constitutional obligations.
Meanwhile, the National Conference (NC) has highlighted the necessity of conducting simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections in J&K. While NC Vice President Omar Abdullah reaffirms the party's stance on this matter, he delegates the responsibility of engaging with the ECI team to provincial presidents and other leaders.
The overarching sentiment among political parties in J&K is that conducting assembly elections alongside the Lok Sabha polls is imperative for upholding the democratic fabric of the region.
It ensures comprehensive electoral representation and aligns with the principles of democratic governance. In response to these discussions, the Election Commission has emphasized the need for constructive dialogue and collaboration to address the complex electoral dynamics in Jammu & Kashmir, underscoring the importance of upholding democratic principles and constitutional mandates.
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