Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said a decision on whether to hold both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously in Jammu and Kashmir will be taken after consultations with security agencies and political parties.
He said the poll panel is concerned about the elections, but assured the exercise will be held without much delay.
Addressing the media in Jammu, CEC Kumar said, "We are concerned about Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in J&K. The majority of political parties we met in Srinagar and Jammu demanded that the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls be held simultaneously."
He said a final decision will be taken after a thorough security review and consultations with political parties. “One thing is certain – we aim for early Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in J&K."
"There will be free and fair polls in J&K," he added.
A team of ECI led by Kumar arrived on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on March 11 to interact with the political parties regarding the Lok Sabha polls and Assembly elections that were last held in January 2015 when Jammu and Kashmir was a state.
During a meeting with the ECI team, representatives from various political parties raised concerns about the delay in holding Assembly polls.
The Supreme Court, in its verdict on Article 370, had directed the ECI to conduct assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024.
Various political leaders who met the ECI stressed the importance of simultaneous polls, raising questions about the delay and the need for democratic participation. The BJP and the PDP outlined their stances on electoral reforms, with discussions about enhancing voter turnout and security conditions.
After consultations with political stakeholders, the ECI officials are set to conduct comprehensive reviews of election preparations in collaboration with local authorities. The Jammu and Kashmir police have already expressed readiness to ensure security for the elections.
Opinions are divided on whether holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls will benefit regional parties. Some believe it could favour the BJP, leveraging the BJP’s chances of winning the third term and using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity among the voters in Jammu, while others argue that managing two major elections simultaneously may pose challenges for the BJP, creating opportunities for regional parties and the Congress to coordinate and collaborate.
The dispute over five Lok Sabha seats remains a factor influencing regional party dynamics.
