Srinagar: The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar arrived in Srinagar on Thursday morning to review preparedness for the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the officials said.
The Supreme Court has set the deadline of September for the elections in J&K.
The two-day visit of ECI officials aims to facilitate comprehensive discussions and assessments for the upcoming Assembly elections, they said.
The Supreme Court in December 11, 2023, while upholding the abrogation of the special status granted to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, had directed the poll panel to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30. The last Assembly election in the erstwhile state was held in 2014.
Officials said CEC Kumar, along with Election Commissioners arrived at SKICC on the banks of Dal lake where he is scheduled to first meet representatives of the political parties of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We will press for the free and fair elections that will ensure more participation in polls,” said a BJP leader ahead of the meeting with the poll panel.
After meeting the political parties, the ECI would hold discussions with district commissioners and superintendents of police of all the districts of J&K.
On August 9, the ECI team will meet top J&K officials, including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, before heading to Jammu for further discussions. (with Agency inputs)
