Srinagar, August 9 : The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Friday announced that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) will be held soon, firmly stating, “We are not ready to play the chicken and egg game and are prepared to hold the polls as planned.”
Speaking about the recent Lok Sabha polls, during a press conference here in Jammu, Kumar as per Srinagar based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com highlighted the high voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha polls as an indicator of the region’s democratic engagement and expressed confidence that the assembly elections will be an even grander occasion.
“Election is like a festival for us,” Kumar stated, adding, “The enthusiasm shown by the people of J&K during the Lok Sabha elections assures us that the assembly elections will be a momentous event. No one should be allowed to derail the election process.”
Kumar also addressed concerns raised by political parties regarding the need for a level playing field and security for political functionaries.
He assured that the elections will be held in a free and fair environment, aligning with the aspirations of J&K’s electorate who have shown remarkable participation in the democratic process
The CEC assured that all rallies will be permitted through an online process, with District Collectors (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) instructed to maintain impartiality. Any instance of biased behavior will be addressed strictly. Additionally, polling stations will be under CCTV surveillance based on requests from political parties, and no filming will be allowed at these locations.
Kumar also addressed concerns about drug misuse in J&K, stating, “The misuse of drugs is a major issue, and we cannot allow an entire generation to jeopardize their future. We are taking this matter very seriously, and action is already underway.”
