The Election Commission has previously raised security concerns regarding polls at J&K.
New Delhi:
Decisions on the timing of elections can only be made by the Election Commission of India, the commission said today in a hard-hitting statement after press reports citing Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir GC Murmu according to which elections on the territory of the Union can take place after the delimitation exercise. Elections have not been held in Jammu and Kashmir in the two years since the elected government collapsed, with the polling station citing security concerns.
“It would be appropriate if authorities other than the Election Commission refrain from making such statements which amount to practically interfering with the constitutional mandate of the Election Commission,” the commission said.
Many factors must be taken into account when holding the elections, including “topography, weather, sensitivities resulting from regional and local festivities,” the committee said.
Now, the coronavirus outbreak is also another concern, said the agency, which last month announced measures on mail ballots for people over 65 and withdrew it within days. .
Assembly elections in Bihar and a series of by-elections are expected in Madhya Pradesh by the end of this year.
Jammu and Kashmir has not had an elected government since June 2018, when the BJP ended its ruling alliance with Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party.
The national elections were expected to be held at the same time as the national elections in April-May, but the Election Commission canceled it, citing the security situation.
In August of last year, the Center ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and branched off into two Union Territories. Most of the political leaders were taken into custody at the time. The Center said it was a preventive measure against negative reactions.
In March, before Prime Minister Narenra Modi announced the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus, many of them were released. The list included former chief ministers Farooq Andullah and his son Omar Abdullah. Former chief minister and head of the PDP Mehbooba Mufti has been allowed to return home, although officially she is still in detention.
