M A I N   N E W S

Polls won’t hit relief work in J-K: EC
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 18
The Election Commission today hinted that the Assembly polls in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir could be held on schedule (by year-end). “Elections will not interfere with relief and rehabilitation work in the state,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) VS Sampath said in Srinagar after holding daylong consultations with political parties.

The EC team returned to New Delhi and the final decision on holding elections would be taken after more deliberations. “Some political parties were in favour of holding elections on time.

The NC wanted the polls to be delayed for relief and rehabilitation work,” said Election Commissioner HS Brahma while addressing mediapersons at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).

“From each district, we got reports on the extent of damage and the infrastructure restored, the number of people displaced and those who have returned to their homes and details of polling stations damaged. The SPs apprised us of the security situation in various districts,” said Sampath. “We have taken note of all things. We are going to back to Delhi and the final decision would be taken soon,” said Sampath. Evading a query on poll preparedness of the administration, the CEC said “the elections won’t interfere with relief work”.

“We will not be deciding anything here…so wait for the decision”, said Brahma.

Earlier, the EC team held meetings with Principal Secretaries of Relief & Rehabilitation and Power Department.