Uncertainty About Polls

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)

Although Assembly elections are due to take place later this year, the surge in militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir is reportedly forcing some reassessment of the situation. This despite the fact that the Election Commission of India's (ECI) has expressed its commitment to adhere to the Supreme Court's September 30 deadline for holding the polls. But the central government will have to take a final call on whether to go ahead with the exercise or not.

The spate of attacks, particularly in Jammu division, has intensified concerns. In the last three months, 11 soldiers and 10 civilians have been killed in various attacks.
As the region grapples with the heightened threat, the Union government and security agencies are working to ensure a secure environment. However, the looming question remains: will Jammu and Kashmir be able to conduct its assembly elections as mandated by the Supreme Court, or will the security situation necessitate a delay? The coming weeks will be critical in determining the path forward for the Union Territory's democratic process.

On the surface, however, the union territory seems to be on track to hold the polls later this year. This was indicated by the PM also in his speech during his recent Yoga Day visit to Srinagar. Since then, the union home minister Amit Shah and the BJP president J P Nadda have held their separate Kashmir meetings, apparently to rally their party for the upcoming polls.
While Shah's meeting was held in New Delhi, Nadda flew to Jammu to meet the senior J&K BJP leaders. The main focus of these meetings is said to be the review of the party's election strategy, expand its base, and address areas where the BJP's vote share declined during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

However, the delay in announcement of the polls by the Election Commission is sowing doubts in the minds of people that the union government may be interested in yet again deferring the exercise. And this time on specious grounds of the surge in violence. However, regional politicians have expressed hope that Assembly elections will after all be held by the Supreme Court's September deadline. They have rightly argued that J&K has witnessed all elections since 1989 under the shadow of gun, with much worse violence.

On the face of it, the preparations for elections are on course. But until the elections are not announced there is every reason for the people to doubt the prospect of the exercise being held. Here's hoping that the government ends the uncertainty about this in the near future and the ECI announces the polls.

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