Will ensure all candidates get security: Election Commission – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The announcement of assembly elections in J&K came amid a recent surge in terror activity, particularly in Jammu region. But with MHA backing the deployment of a large number of security forces, EC, recognising the enthusiasm among J&K voters to be agents of change by choosing the ballot over bullets and boycotts, has decided to proceed with the exercise with some meticulous planning.
The schedule has been carefully designed to keep the polling period short and ensure adequate availability of forces soon after announcement of poll dates.
Will ensure all candidates get security: EC
The election schedule also looks to cover the areas with heightened terrorist activity in the initial phases to ensure optimum force deployment and area domination, and schedule polling in constituencies across both J&K regions in each phase.
TOI has learnt that credible inputs have been landing on intelligence agencies’ desk about designs by Pakistan-based elements to disrupt the upcoming assembly polls in J&K with attacks on security forces and candidates. Sources said the Election Commission, with the cooperation of the home ministry, nevertheless chose to take a measured risk to hold polls with the underlying principle that such nefarious designs should not be allowed to succeed.

The poll process starts a day after the conclusion of Amarnath Yatra on Aug 19, since that would free up a good chunk of forces for election deployment. Also, the final rolls with July 1, 2024, as reference date would be published on Aug 20.
“We have not wasted a single day. Also, the poll panel has ensured that districts that have attacks over the past couple of months – like Doda, Ramban, Kulgam and Anantnag – go to polls in the first phase itself, with Rajouri and Poonch too scheduled in the second phase,” an EC functionary told TOI.
Interestingly, the polls are being held amid the apple/saffron season and will coincide with tourist festivals, which underlines the confidence of EC in going ahead with the exercise. CEC Rajiv Kumar on Friday said the EC will ensure that each candidate gets security and shall also honour J&K parties’ request that security of all candidates and party office bearers be on par. About 16,000 or more security personnel may be deployed for this purpose, as per sources. For the first time, the EC has taken care to schedule polls together in constituencies across both Jammu and Kashmir valleys. Polling will be spread over three phases covering all of 14 days – as per an EC functionary, this is the shortest poll window in J&K, barring the 1987 exercise.
“The EC is conducting the assembly polls buoyed by its confidence in the people of J&K who are not only keen on change but also want to be agents of that change by choosing ballot over bullet and boycott,” the CEC said on Friday.
Citing the record turnouts in J&K in the recent Lok Sabha polls, the CEC said, “Time has come to erect the building on the solid foundation that was laid during the 2024 general election.”