ECI’s security strategy for J&K Assembly polls gets Home Secretary’s nod

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Union Home Ministry has reportedly expressed its willingness to provide adequate security forces for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said Wednesday.

The assurance came from Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla during a meeting with the Election Commission of India (EC) in the national capital.

The Home Ministry's readiness aligns with the Supreme Court’s directive last December, instructing the poll panel to conduct assembly elections in J&K by September 30.

Sources said that Bhalla was “in agreement” with the ECI’s security assessment for J&K, which focuses on the safety of candidates and the peaceful execution of the electoral process.

He reportedly agreed to the ECI’s requirements to ensure a smooth and secure polling experience in the region.

According to sources, the Home Ministry’s commitment includes deploying the necessary number of security personnel as proposed by the EC to safeguard candidates and facilitate a peaceful election process.

On Wednesday afternoon, the ECI conducted an in-depth review meeting with Bhalla to discuss the security situation in J&K.

The meeting was described as “productive” with the Home Secretary aligning with the ECI’s security evaluation for the assembly polls in J&K.

During the meeting, the ECI emphasised the importance of securing candidates and polling stations, highlighting the need for adequate forces to ensure a peaceful election.

The last assembly elections in J&K, held in 2014 when Ladakh was still a part of the state, spanned five phases.

A similar phased approach is anticipated this time as well, with the electoral process likely to extend over a month.

It remains unclear whether the J&K elections will coincide with other states where assembly polls are due or if they will be held separately.

The EC has already visited J&K to assess poll readiness.

Following a record voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha elections in J&K, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar expressed optimism, saying, “This active participation is a huge positive for the upcoming assembly elections, ensuring the continued thriving of the democratic process in J&K.”

The forthcoming assembly elections in J&K will be the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which led to the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.

The delimitation exercise has increased the number of assembly seats from 83 to 90, excluding those allocated to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In a clear indication that assembly polls are imminent, the ECI last month instructed the J&K administration to transfer officers posted in their home districts, a routine procedure ahead of elections.

The EC also ordered the updation of electoral rolls in J&K.

In June, the Commission decided to accept applications for “common symbols” from registered unrecognised parties in J&K, further signalling the approach of assembly elections.