JAMMU: The Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer Jammu & Kashmir have formally set process of Assembly Elections in the State into motion by initiating the work for poll schedule and appointment of Returning Officers for all the 87 Assembly constituencies.
Quoting sources, a Kashmir based news agency has reported that while the Election Commission of India has sought detailed proposal from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) about the phasing of the polls by strictly considering the climatic conditions of the Assembly constituencies within next three days.
Chief Electoral Officer, Umang Narulla has issued a notification designating government officials as Returning Officers for all the 87 Assembly constituencies of the State.
Following the deliberations of a team of the Election Commission of India headed by Deputy Chief Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi with the top state government officials including Chief Secretary, Director General Police and Chief Electoral Officer and the contesting political parties , the Election Commission while getting updates about relief and rehabilitation programs in the flood hit parts of the State told the Chief Electoral Officer of J&K Umang Narula to submit detailed proposal about phasing of the elections.
Chief Electoral Officer is reported to have been directed to conduct constituency-wise phasing strictly keeping in view the climatic conditions prevailing in these constituencies in December and January.
The constituencies like Gurez, Uri, Tanghdar, Lolab in North Kashmir Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar of Ladakh region, Bani of Kathua district, Gool-Gulabgarh of Ramban district, Inderwal of Kishtwar district, Bhaderwah of Doda district and Bandipora etc which usually remain snowbound in December would be covered in first phase of polling’.
The Chief Electoral Officer has started seeking constituency wise details from the District Election Officers (Deputy Commissioners) and they have been asked to ensure the same by Monday afternoon.