Jammu, March 13: A team of officials from the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, arrived in Jammu on Wednesday to evaluate the preparedness for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the Union Territory, according to officials.
During their three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission team has engaged in discussions with representatives from various political parties including the NC, PDP, BJP, CPI(M), Congress, and the AAP. They also met with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole and police nodal officers in Srinagar on Tuesday.
Upon their arrival in Jammu on Wednesday afternoon, the Election Commission team commenced meetings with senior officials from law enforcement agencies. Subsequently, they are scheduled to meet with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police R R Swain before addressing a press conference later in the day.
Amidst growing demands from political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Panthers Party (NPP), for simultaneous or immediate assembly elections alongside the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission’s visit holds significant importance.
However, tensions arose as police detained National Panthers Party (NPP) chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh, along with several supporters, when they attempted to stage a protest outside Nirvachan Bhawan against the perceived delay in holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh expressed frustration, alleging that despite being a recognized political party, they were denied the opportunity to meet the visiting Election Commission team in Srinagar, purportedly at the BJP’s behest.
