Jammu: PK Pole, Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir said on Saturday that the Ministry of Home Affairs is providing security to conduct the upcoming Assembly elections in Union Territory.
Pole said that this decision has been taken by the home ministry given the security challenges in the Jammu and Kashmir region, and to carry out a peaceful election process.
“There have been security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir over the last 2-3 decades. There has been a reduction (in terror incidents) in recent years. It is an on-and-off situation. We have worked out detailed security arrangements. For candidates, political parties, our RO officials, observers, strong rooms, all this was taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs and accordingly, security is being provided,” Pole said.
He was speaking on the security arrangements for the upcoming polls in Jammu and Kashmir
He said the Lok Sabha elections were conducted peacefully. “There will be no political violence. We are fully prepared (for any kind of situation.)”
When asked about the extra deployment of forces at polling stations in Doda given the recent incidents of terrorism, he said, “In areas where the activities of anti-national elements have increased recently, we provide additional security there and have also activated Village Defence Committees. So overall, it seems that there will be peaceful elections.”
Meanwhile, PK Pole, Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, said that about 88 lakh voters will cast their ballot in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Electoral Officer said seven districts will go to polls in the first phase on September 18, six districts in the second phase on September 23 and seven districts on October 1.
He further said that the four districts of South Kashmir and three districts of Doda will go to polls in the first phase.
He also said that basic minimum facilities have been made at all polling booths.

KR Desk