Election Commission to Review Security in Jammu and Kashmir with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla
The Election Commission of India will hold a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. This meeting is crucial as the Supreme Court has directed the central government to conclude the election process in the Union territory by September 30, 2024.
If the elections are held before September, it will be the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir in ten years. The last assembly election was held in 2014, and the PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 when the BJP withdrew support from then-Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Recently, a delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reviewed the poll preparations in Jammu and Kashmir. During a press conference, Kumar emphasized that the commission is committed to holding elections there ‘at the earliest.’ He assured that no external or internal forces could derail the electoral process and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would respond to any disruptive forces.
All political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are strongly advocating for assembly elections. During the visit, poll body officials met with national and recognized parties, who praised the successful Lok Sabha polls in the region. They highlighted the historic achievement, good participation, and absence of violence, which boosted public confidence. All parties demanded that the Assembly polls be held soon and that public elected representatives be established for better local connectivity.
Rajiv Kumar also mentioned that there was a demand for equal security for all political functionaries. The security of some political figures had been downgraded, while others had not received any security. The perception was that equal security would allow political activities to proceed without fear, regardless of party affiliation.
Jammu and Kashmir have a total of 90 assembly constituencies, with 74 General, nine reserved for ST, and seven for SC. The region has 87.09 lakh total electors, including 44.46 lakh males, 42.62 lakh females, 169 transgender individuals, 82,590 persons with disabilities, 73,943 very senior citizens, 2,660 centenarians, 76,092 service electors, and 3.71 lakh first-time voters.
Doubts Revealed
Election Commission -: The Election Commission of India is a government body that organizes and oversees elections in the country to make sure they are fair and free.
Union Home Secretary -: The Union Home Secretary is a top official in the Indian government who is responsible for internal security and law and order in the country.
Ajay Bhalla -: Ajay Bhalla is the current Union Home Secretary of India, which means he is in charge of internal security and other important matters.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India that has special status and has faced security issues in the past.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions and can direct the government to take certain actions.
Union territory -: A Union territory is a type of region in India that is directly governed by the central government, unlike states which have their own governments.
Chief Election Commissioner -: The Chief Election Commissioner is the head of the Election Commission of India and is responsible for overseeing elections in the country.
Rajiv Kumar -: Rajiv Kumar is the current Chief Election Commissioner of India, responsible for ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and smoothly.