Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath (centre) along with Election Commissioners H S Brahma and Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi speak at a press conference in New Delhi yesterday.
IANS/New Delhi
Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand will be held in five phases between November 25 and December 20. By-elections to three Delhi assembly seats will also be held on November 25. Counting for all seats would be held on December 23, the Election Commission announced yesterday.
“The five phases will be on November 25, December 2, 9, 14 and 20 in both states,” Chief Election Commissioner of India V S Sampath said at a press conference here.
He said that the commission was mandated to complete elections in both states before the expiry of the term of their respective state legislatures.
The term of the legislative assembly of Jharkhand ends on January 3 and that of Kashmir on January 19.
“Electoral rolls for Jharkhand were finalised on July 31 while the final electoral roll for Jammu and Kashmir was published on October 15,” Sampath said.
Asked if it was the appropriate time to hold elections in the flood-affected state of Kashmir, Sampath said the decision was taken after consultations with all recognised political parties in the state.
“We are bound by the constitution to hold elections before the term of the assembly expires. When we consulted all recognised political parties there, they were of the opinion that there is no need to stall the election,” he said.
For 849 flood victims who are still living in relief camps, voter cards will be distributed there, he said.
Considering that both states are sensitive from the point of view of law and order, Sampath said the commission had made efficient arrangements to avert any untoward incident.
“Both states are sensitive. We have taken all measures to identify the security requirement by having suitable discussion with the authorities. There will be deployment of adequate forces to ensure free and fair polls,” Sampath said.
He said there will be “sufficient number of general observers and micro observers in all poll-bound states depending on need and sensitivity.”
The model code of conduct comes into force with immediate effect and will be applicable to the central government and the states concerned, he added.
All mainstream political parties in Kashmir except the ruling National Conference (NC) welcomed the announcement.
Immediately after the announcement, NC general secretary Ali Mohamed Sagar said: “We opposed the elections at this point of time because we felt that this is not the opportune time as the people are battling the aftermath of the flood tragedy that has befallen the state.
“The NC clearly stated that the choice is between the people of the state and their sufferings on one side and the politics and elections on the other side. Since democracy is for the welfare of the people, it was imperative to go by the will of the people.
“Unfortunately, the NC was in a minority on the issue with political parties like PDP (People’s Democratic Party) and others giving preference to their craving for power than the people,” he said.
Sagar said now that the election watchdog has in its wisdom announced the schedule, the NC will internally discuss and decide its further course of action.
He, however, added: “Since the NC has always been a votary for democracy, we have decided to participate in the elections.”
Kashmiri separatist leaders have already called for a boycott of the election, while mainstream political parties are ready to start their campaign.
PDP spokeaman Naeem Akhtar said: “The democratic process cannot be wished away although the times are difficult in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The people have to be given their right to choose the political dispensation they desire and for that to happen holding elections is important.
“We welcome the decision. Holding of elections would result in a stable government that is needed to carry forward the stupendous task of relief and construction post floods in the state,” Akhtar said.
Salman Anees Soz, national spokesman of the Congress, said: “We are with the decision taken by the Election Commission. We welcome the democratic process and are ready to participate in it.”
Ashok Khajuria, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state assembly, said the party was for the democratic process.
“We welcome the announcement by the Election Commission,” he said.
Sitting legislator Harsh Dev Singh of the National Panthers Party (NPP) said his party did not support governor’s rule in the state.
“The state government is on a weak wicket. It was trying to persuade the Election Commission to postpone the elections for party reasons. The announcement made by the Election Commission is welcome and we fully support it.”
Meanwhile in Jharkhand the stakes are high for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which won 12 of the 14 Lok Sabha seats earlier this year.
Former chief minister and seior BJP leader Arjun Munda said: “We (BJP) appeal to the people to vote for stability and development of the state. The only mission of our party is to get people’s mandate in a clear cut way. We hope that people of Jharkhand will bless the BJP with more than 55 seats. People voted in favour of our party in the Lok Sabha and the same is expected in the assembly polls.”
The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is hopeful people will vote for the party.
