Ensure no bias in preventive detention, cancellation of rallies, EC tells admn

The Election Commission (EC) has directed the Jammu and Kashmir administration to ensure that preventive actions are “free of any partisan bias and only individuals with a proven history of antisocial or criminal behaviour would be targeted.”

A team of senior officials from the Election Commission undertook a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on September 11-12 during which they reviewed the preparedness of the forthcoming Assembly elections in the Union Territory, according to an official spokesperson.

During the two-day visit, the EC officials visited Ramban and Anantnag districts, where they held review meetings with the civil administration and police officials of all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The EC officials reviewed and stressed on critical issues highlighted by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar earlier during a review with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP) and head of CAPF, for fair and transparent electoral process.

“The administration would avoid undue arrests around polling day. Only individuals with legitimate antisocial or criminal backgrounds would be detained, ensuring that the process remains fair and transparent,” the EC officials said, adding that this move is aimed at eliminating previous concerns of selective or politically motivated actions, the spokesperson said.

The EC officials also asserted that “no last-minute restrictions would be imposed on the number of participants allowed in rallies or meetings, and instructed that the administration would grant permissions for political gatherings with due diligence and without any bias or without any undue interference.”

The spokesperson said officials were informed that security has to be provided equally to all candidates, without any discrimination or restriction on movement. “This will ensure a level playing field for all parties, and will prevent exposing any candidate to heightened vulnerability,” he said.

The EC team also reiterated that the practice of last-minute changes or clubbing of polling stations—often justified on security grounds has been prohibited and the voters “need to be assured that polling station locations would not be altered at the eleventh hour, to avoid any last minute confusion amongst voters about their polling stations.”

The EC officials took stock of the J&K Election Department’s efforts towards enhancing participation of voters and candidate, campaigning and election festivities.

The team which concluded the visit on Thursday, expressed satisfaction with the preparedness for the upcoming elections and exhorted the officers to continue their efforts to ensure a historic voter turnout in the polls, the spokesperson said.