“We hope ECI is announcing dates for J&K”, says JKNC leader Omar Abdullah

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 16 (ANI): With the Election Commission set to announce the schedule for Assembly elections to Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (JKNC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday stressed the need for early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, “We don’t know that for sure (if dates will be announced for J&K). That’s speculation. We hope that they are announcing dates for J&K. But in the past, we have also expected an announcement and one hasn’t been forthcoming. J&K has been without an elected assembly since 2018.

“This is perhaps the longest period without an elected government in J&K. So, we hope that the ECI will use today’s opportunity to announce early elections in J&K, in keeping with what the Supreme Court of India has said, because this is as per their guidelines and their directives,” the JKNC leader added.

Speaking about the expected election schedule announcement for Jammu and Kashmir former JK Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said, “They used to say article 370 is responsible for the rise in terrorism. You are in power and still, the terrorism is at its peak. Today, the dates will be announced. A parliamentary committee will be formed and the candidate will be of your choice who can resolve your difficulties.”

In December last year, the Supreme Court directed the central government to conclude the election process in Union territory by September 30, 2024. Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections after a gap of ten years, as the last assembly election was held in 2014.

The PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 when the latter withdrew support for the then-Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti. Recently, a poll body delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reviewed the poll preparations in J&K. During a press conference in Jammu during the visit, Kumar emphasised that the commission is committed to holding elections there “at the earliest.”.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the schedule for assembly elections on Friday at around 3 pm.

The election commission is likely to announce the schedule for the assembly elections to the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly later.