Centre gears up to ensure free and fair polls
With Lok Sabha elections around the corner, the Union government is gearing up to rush close to 1 lakh security personnel to ensure free and fair polls in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In the case of Assembly polls also taking place alongside Lok Sabha polls the Centre would be rushing additional companies as per the requirement projected by the office of Chief Electoral Officer.
In addition to these CAPF personnel, security personnel already deployed in Jammu and Kashmir would remain in a state of high alert in their respective areas of jurisdiction to ensure a conducive atmosphere and prevent any terrorist attack aimed at disturbing the poll process.
The movement of Central paramilitary forces is expected to take place soon after the announcement of the poll schedule by the office of the Chief Election Commissioner in the first half of March 2024.
According to official sources, over 600 companies are scheduled to arrive here for poll duties. On average, a company comprises 120 to 130 security personnel.
In the event of Assembly elections taking place alongside Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Home Ministry is expected to send additional companies to guard the polling booths, and strong rooms and for area domination duties in the remote and hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Election Commissioner is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir on March 13 to hold a comprehensive security review. Before visiting J&K the commission is also scheduled to attend a high-level security review meeting in the Union Home Ministry to assess the security situation and explore the possibility of holding Assembly polls alongside Lok Sabha polls.
During their stay, the officials of the election commission would interact with all the stakeholders including representatives of the political parties, senior bureaucrats, and top-ranking security officials.
Meanwhile, the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are keenly awaiting the outcome of the crucial meeting. On ground zero, the Bharatiya Janta Party, Congress party, and Kashmir-based political parties have already launched mass contact programs to woo the electorate. BJP is facing criticism from Kashmir-based politicians for deliberately delaying the conduct of the Assembly polls. On the other hand, the unfazed BJP is focusing on consolidating its voter base in the Kashmir valley to realize their dream of forming a stable government on their strength.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir soon: Modi - April 12, 2024
- Campaign trail: Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat - April 8, 2024
- Ghulam Nabi Azad returns to the poll arena, to contest the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat - April 2, 2024
