Indian election watchdog in Kashmir as court deadline on regional polls nears

By Nusrat Sidiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - The Indian election watchdog on Thursday arrived in the Jammu and Kashmir region to seek suggestions from political parties and administrative officials on conducting assembly polls which have long been delayed for over 10 years.

Indian Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar is on a three-day visit to meet political representatives, police officials and administrative officials before finalizing dates for legislative elections in the disputed region.

Indian Supreme Court last December directed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to hold the polls by September this year.

The court had given directions while hearing petitions against the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The last elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly were held in November-December 2014.

However, the region has been under direct New Delhi rule since June 19, 2018, following the collapse of a coalition government led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti after the Bhartiya Janta Party withdrew its support to her.

Modi’s government downgraded and divided Jammu and Kashmir into two federally administered union territories on Aug. 05, 2019.

The political parties involved in discussions with the Indian elections watchdog include the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), local units of Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, and Communist Party.

These parties have emphasized the need for holding legislative elections and presented their demands and viewpoints to the election watchdog.

Nasir Sogami, a representative from the National Conference party, told reporters after a meeting with the visiting official: “We told the Election Commission that there has been no government since 2018 and no elections for 10 years.”

He further said: “We need representatives to address political, development, and security issues. We asked for a level playing field and unbiased decisions. The Election Commission assured us elections will happen.”