Srinagar, Aug 13 (KS): The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to hold a crucial meeting with Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Wednesday to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. This meeting is a part of the ECI’s preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in the Union Territory.
The primary focus will be on assessing the current security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in light of recent incidents of violence and ongoing threats from terrorist organizations.
The ECI is expected to discuss the coordination between central and state security agencies to ensure a smooth and peaceful election process. This includes measures to prevent any disruptions or threats to voters and election personnel.
The meeting will also address logistical arrangements for conducting elections in the region, including the deployment of security forces, transportation of election materials, and communication infrastructure.
While the exact dates for the elections have not yet been announced, the meeting aims to set a framework for deciding the timing of the polls based on the security assessments.
Jammu and Kashmir have been under Union Government’s rule since the dissolution of the state assembly in November 2018. The last assembly elections were held in 2014. The upcoming elections are significant as they will be the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which granted special autonomy to the region.
The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains a critical concern, with sporadic incidents of violence and militancy.
The ECI’s meeting with the Home Secretary is a step towards ensuring that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and secure environment.—(KS)