By Ajmer Alam Wani
Apprehending that separatists could further strengthen their anti poll campaign to keep the maximum voters away from the democratic process and increase in the militancy related incidents in-view snowfall during winters in the higher reaches that will force militants to approach townships and villages, the Election Commission of India (EC) is likely to announce the schedule for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections within next 24 hours (Most probably on Sunday).
Moreover, the election machinery in the state which is already active for last about five months is ready to welcome and implement the decision of the EC. On security, Director General of Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khoda in New Delhi on October 14 had assured the Election Commission of India (ECI) of providing fool-proof security for conducting free and fair polls.
State’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) B.R Sharma while talking to this reporter said, “We are ready to accept the decision of EC any time however, he did not disclosed the directions received from EC regarding the poll schedule for Jammu and Kashmir State.
Worthwhile to mention here that earlier there were differences of opinion among the three-member Commission with two Commissioners favoring immediate polls and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami having some reservation.
The EC which was divided over holding Assembly polls in Jammu Kashmir appeared to have veered around the view that democratic exercise cannot be delayed. The EC is working on a contingency plan before taking a decision on the timing of elections in the State.
Sources said that the move is aimed at having a backup contingency plan in the event of government staff in the sensitive state not being able to offer their services due to some reasons.
The change in the mind of EC, which divided over the poll timing in Jammu and Kashmir, comes in the backdrop of the National Conference (NC) favoring early polls in the state.
The NC along with another PDP had initially opposed early elections on the ground that the atmosphere was not conducive for the exercise. It had also raised doubts over the credibility of the exercise with ‘low voter participation’.
With NC President Omar Abdullah saying that he now favors early polls, the statement could augur well for the polls in the state. Left and the BJP have already demanded immediate polls while the Congress has left it to the EC to take a decision.
The Commission which announced the poll schedule for five states on Tuesday and delayed decision on JK polls called a meeting of Chief Secretaries of six states on Friday to find out if they can spare 4,000 to 5,000 Urdu speaking employees for poll duties in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir. When contacted Chief Secretary S.S Kapoor said that he did not attended the meeting and mentioned that Chief Electoral Officer of the state attended the meeting.
The Commission after consultations with Chief Secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and to know to what extent these States can spare Urdu-speaking government employees for the polls will take the decision of J&K polls.
As indicated by the sources, there could be a new government in Jammu and Kashmir State before the winter sets in.
Sources added that after an initial opposition from PDP, NC and other Kashmir based parties to the holding of elections, Chief Election Commissioner has accepted the political demands for polls on schedule.
Relevant to mention here that after the Amarnath land controversy and two months of violence, there are still serious worries. Will there be enough people who will vote? Or will the turnout be abysmally low?
And more immediately, will the Valley’s 4000 Government employees agree to take party in election duty?
However, the Election Commission is not taking any chances after an internal assessment that a boycott call by separatists in the Valley could play a serious spoiler. The Election Commission has now begun scouting for Urdu-speaking staff from other states.
Therefore, before the New Year sets in Jammu and Kashmir’s fragile peace will be on test and the world will watch to see if there can be a repeat performance of 2002, a peaceful and fair election after months of violence.
When conducted, JKNPP senior leader and former Education Minister, Harsh Dev Singh while talking to this reporter, mentioned that the Election Commission should announce the schedule for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls at the earliest as it has been lingering for last four months and each day people have to hear that no decision has yet been taken on the J&K election.
He added that people should get democratic Govt at the earliest otherwise the delay in electing a democratic government would send a wrong message before the international community. He added that if elections could be held in 1996 and 2002 than why not now?