Ishtiyaq Kar

Srinagar, Aug 08 (KNS): Leaders from all major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir made a strong plea to the Election Commission (EC) for the immediate scheduling of assembly elections.
The call for swift action came during a crucial meeting held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), where the EC team, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, engaged with representatives from various parties.
The discussions underscored a unified demand from the political leaders for urgent elections, emphasizing the necessity of restoring democratic governance in the region.
The meeting was part of the EC’s three-day visit to review the state’s election readiness and gather feedback from the political stakeholders.
The Election Commission (EC) team, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and including Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S.S. Sandhu, is on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Their mission is to evaluate the region's preparedness for upcoming assembly elections and to gather detailed feedback from political parties.
As per news agency KNS during this visit, the team will conduct thorough assessments of logistical and administrative arrangements needed for a smooth electoral process.
They will meet with representatives from various political parties to understand their concerns and expectations, ensuring that all necessary measures are in place to facilitate a fair and efficient election.
This visit aims to address any issues related to election readiness.
Leaders from a range of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKPP), have collectively demanded that assembly elections be held without delay.
This unified call for immediate elections reflects a shared consensus among the parties on the urgent need to restore democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
The leaders highlighted that the prolonged absence of elected representatives has led to a significant democratic deficit.
They stressed that conducting timely elections is crucial for re-establishing local governance, addressing public grievances, and ensuring that the voices of the people are heard.
By coming together on this issue, the parties aim to emphasize the importance of a democratic process and the need for a timely electoral exercise to revive political and administrative functions in Jammu and Kashmir.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the central government, mandating that the assembly election process in Jammu and Kashmir be completed by September 30. This deadline emphasizes the urgency of holding the elections and ensures that the democratic process resumes without further delay.
However the Election Commission (EC) has yet to announce the specific schedule for the elections. The delay in setting a date for the polls has added to the growing concerns among political leaders about the timely restoration of democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
The EC’s forthcoming announcement is awaited to clarify the timeline and ensure that all necessary preparations are aligned with the Supreme Court’s deadline.
Meanwhile BJP spokesperson R.S. Pathania strongly urged that elections be held as soon as possible, adhering to the Supreme Court’s September 30 deadline. The party emphasized the importance of swift action to meet the court's timeline.
National Conference (NC) Kashmir President Nasir Aslam Wani highlighted the critical need for elections, pointing out that there has been no functioning government since 2018 and that assembly elections have not been held in the past decade.
Wani stressed that immediate elections are essential for re-establishing democratic governance.
Congress leader G.N. Monga called for the urgent restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. Monga also voiced concerns about uneven security measures for different political parties, calling for equal protection for all.
PDP leader Khurshid Alam argued that given the improvement in the situation and the safe conduct of major events like the Amarnath Yatra, there is no justification for further delaying the elections. Alam urged for prompt elections to restore democratic governance.
NC leaders have requested the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that the elections are conducted in a fair and unbiased manner.
The Election Commission is set to review election preparations with district officials and law enforcement over the coming days.
As per reports the visit will conclude with a comprehensive review meeting in Jammu on August 10, followed by a press conference to address any remaining issues and outline the next steps.(KNS)