The Hindu : New Delhi News : EC reviews J&K election arrangements

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Thursday, Nov 13, 2008
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EC reviews J&K election arrangements

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: Chief Election Commissioner of India N. Gopalaswami on Wednesday said the Election Commission would ensure free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Accompanied by the two Commissioners, Navin Chawla and S.Y. Quraishi, he arrived here on a two-day visit to review the arrangements for the elections. He held long meetings with representatives of political parties and top officials, including District Election Officers and SPs.

Later talking to reporters, he said that to vote or not to vote is a democratic right but it is nobody’s fundamental right to ask people not to vote. On the separatists’ call for election boycott, he said the “law will take its own course.” He said that since elections had been announced there was no point in asking whether the situation is conducive or not.

Mr. Gopalaswami said the turnout was not the concern of the Commission but “our concern is to hold free and fair elections and we have asked the administration to ensure that.”

Asked about the challenges they faced, he said there was no challenge except that of the weather. He said the Commission had asked political parties to canvass freely so that people can vote without any fear.

He said authorities had been given clear instructions that police, para-military forces and the Army should be kept away from the process and should not be allowed to interfere. “They (Army) have no role to play” he told a questioner, who referred to allegations of coercion by the Army in 1996 and 2002.

He complimented the State Electoral Office and district authorities for doing tremendous work in preparation of rolls, voter cards and making other arrangements.

Mr. Gopalaswami said political parties which met him on Wednesday complained about the security and lack of vehicles and necessary instructions had been given to redress their grievances.

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