*ECI hints of holding Assembly elections in J&K on due date* *Holding polls won’t interfere in relief operations: Sampath* *Srinagar, Oct 18 (KNS): *Giving enough hints that assembly elections would be held on due date in November and December, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) VS Sampath Saturday said that after meeting stakeholders, top brass of administration and interacting with all District Election Officers (DEOs), they would announce their decision soon in New Delhi. “In the event of our deciding to hold the elections in all our instructions, we will ensure that elections will not interfere in relief operations,” Sampath told reporters here during a press conference. Asked whether the relief and rehabilitation process was going smooth in the state, he said, “It is not our intention to review (post flood) relief and rehabilitation process because it is state government’s job. But we are looking at it in the context of elections. Whether holding of election will interfere with relief measure and it is the only thing we are looking at it. We have got a reasonable input on that.” He announced that the state administration was full prepared to hold elections. “Relief and rehabilitation work will carry on even if we decide to hold elections,” he said. Giving details about the full Election Commission’s today’s visit to the state, he said, “We had deputed our deputy election commissioner sometime back who had one round of discussion with stakeholders and officers. After that full commission is visiting J&K today and we had a day long discussion and consultations with all the recognized political parties in the state. We had a discussion with Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, principal secretary Power and Revenue and other officers to get a feel of post flood situation in the state,” he said. “Quite a few political parties were of the view that elections should be held on scheduled date and there should be no delay while some of them said holding of elections will interfere in relief and rehablation which is more important than holding elections. We will be going back to Delhi and have some more consultations before we come to the final conclusion,” he added. The CEC, who was flanked by two Election Commissioners BS Brahma and Nasim Zaidi, said they had a meeting through video conference with IGPs, Divisional Commissioners, all the Deputy Commissioners and district SPs. “We ascertained from each district the status of flood damage, how much of infrastructure is already restored. What part of it is yet to be restored and what is the number of population affected by the flood. What is the number of people who have already gone back to their homes and number of polling station which have been damaged, polling stations which have been restored and which are the places they will have alternate arrangements for polls,” Sampath said. The CEC further said that all of these detailed have been updated. “District SPs have given appraisal of security situation obtaining in different parts of the state. Having taken note of all these things the Commission will make further consultations in Delhi before making any announcements in this regard,” he said. The Election Commissioners BS Brahma said that since 9:30 in the morning they held discussions with political parties. “Some political parties said elections should be held soon and some said to defer it. Our effort will be that due to elections relief and rehab shouldn’t suffer. EC won’t interfere in this and ensure relief and rehab goes smoothly. We have told the officers that relief and rehab won’t have any problem during elections,” he said. Brahma said they have to take decision regarding elections in Jharkhand also “and we will take decision soon and announce it before you.”
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 13:54:19 +0000
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