We stand committed that as soon as these elections are over, we will hold elections there, CEC Rajiv Kumar said

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar addressing the media on General Election at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi on March 16 | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

By PEERZADA ASHIQ

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday ruled out simultaneous Assembly and Parliament elections in Jammu and Kashmir, on the grounds of “security and delimitation exercise”. However, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar indicated that an Assembly election could be held in J&K “soon after Lok Sabha polls”.

Elaborating on the reasons not to hold Assembly and Parliament elections simultaneously, despite the unanimous demand of political parties in the Union Territory (UT), Mr. Kumar said, “The J&K Administration told us [the ECI] that two elections can’t be held at the same time due to more security requirements.”

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday ruled out simultaneous Assembly and Parliament elections in Jammu and Kashmir, on the grounds of “security and delimitation exercise”. However, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar indicated that an Assembly election could be held in J&K “soon after Lok Sabha polls”.

Elaborating on the reasons not to hold Assembly and Parliament elections simultaneously, despite the unanimous demand of political parties in the Union Territory (UT), Mr. Kumar said, “The J&K Administration told us [the ECI] that two elections can’t be held at the same time due to more security requirements.”

The J&K administration had told an ECI team, during their recent visit, that there will be roughly 10 to 12 candidates for each Assembly segment, which means there will be approximately 1,000 candidates in the fray. “This means each candidate needs to be given proper security cover and for that, there was more requirement of additional forces,” Mr. Kumar said.

He, however, said that the Commission was committed to holding Assembly polls in J&K “soon after Lok Sabha polls, when security forces will be available.”

Delimitation changes

The CEC also pointed out that the amendment made to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act in December 2023 was another reason for the delay.

This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.