SRINAGAR: The Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu, will visit Jammu and Kashmir from August 8-10 to review the preparedness for the upcoming assembly elections in the Union Territory. In Srinagar, the Commission will first meet with political parties. They will also hold meetings with the CEO, SPNO, and Central Forces coordinator to review preparations. Additionally, the Commission will review preparations with the Chief Secretary, DGP, District Election Officers, and Superintendents of Police from all districts. On August 10, the Commission will visit Jammu for a review meeting with enforcement agencies. The Commission will hold a press conference in Jammu to brief the media on the review of election preparations. In March 2024, CEC Rajiv Kumar, who was the only member of the three-member commission to visit the Union Territory before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections (with EC posts vacant at that time), had assured political parties and the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the Commission would soon hold the assembly elections in the UT. Following the record turnout in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 and the significant participation of the people of J&K in the democratic process, CEC Kumar stated, “This active participation is a huge positive for assembly elections to be held soon so that the democratic process continues to thrive in the Union Territory.” The Election Commission of India has indicated that assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, the deadline set by the Supreme Court. The poll body has asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to transfer officials posted in their home districts, as well as those connected with the election process who will be completing a three-year tenure on or before September 30.
