Jammu: The Election Commission (EC) will hold a crucial meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Wednesday to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir as it prepares for upcoming assembly polls. This meeting comes after the EC reviewed the poll readiness in the region last week.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the two other Election Commissioners will attend the meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss important issues, particularly related to security.
Security arrangements to be key focus of meeting
Security arrangements are a key focus of the meeting, with discussions expected on the deployment of central security forces to ensure a safe election process. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 12.30 pm.
The Election Commission had earlier assured the Supreme Court that elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held by September. Reports suggest that the polls could be conducted in five phases to manage the security and logistical challenges.
First assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since abrogation of Article 370
These will be the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the division of the former state into two Union Territories in 2019. The electoral exercise in the region typically spans a month.
Earlier this month, from August 8 to 10, the Election Commission visited Jammu and Kashmir to assess the situation and held meetings with various political parties as part of the preparation for the elections.
