“How can govt talk about ‘one nation one election’?”: Omar Abdullah on delay in J&K elections

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], March 19 (ANI): National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that if simultaneous elections could not be held in Jammu and Kashmir, then how is the government deliberating upon conducting ‘one nation, one election’ in the future.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar had earlier informed that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls will be held after the Lok Sabha elections. It is currently under the President’s Rule.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah said, “ECI said that they are ready to conduct elections and political parties are also ready but the administration here stopped the J-K election (from taking place simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election) and said we need more security forces.”

“In this situation, I am compelled to ask, If they can’t let the elections happen simultaneously (in J-K) then how can you (the government) talk about ‘One nation, one election’? At that time, how will you have security forces?” he added.

Earlier on March 16, the Chief Election Commission announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls and State Legislative Assembly elections in four states.

CEC Rajiv Kumar said that all political parties had requested the ECI to conduct an assembly election with Lok Sabha polls, but security agencies advised that it would not be possible to provide security.

“But we are seriously thinking of conducting polls in JK after the Lok Sabha polls. JK will be the first state to go in the election after the Lok Sabha polls,” he said.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday also requested the Election Commission and the Centre to hold the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir one month after the Lok Sabha elections.

The general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19. The polling will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20 and June 1 and the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.

Nearly 97 crore voters will be eligible to vote for 543 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country. With the announcement of dates, the model code of conduct comes into force immediately.

The polling in J-K will be held on five Lok Sabha seats in five phases from Phase 1 to 5- April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 2.