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Situation right for J&K polls, says EC

The situation is right for the holding of free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir and all steps to facilitate them were being taken, Election Commissioner G V G Krishnamurthy said today.

Talking to reporters here after a three-day visit to the Kashmir valley and Kargil, Krishnamurthy said security would be beefed up and mobile security pickets set up in sensitive areas to deal with militant attacks during the elections, expected to be keenly watched by the world community.

Krishnamurthy admitted that the presence of a large number of foreign militants, daily killings and the recent Kargil conflict had made elections a major challenge for the commission.

"But we are confident to frustrate the attempts of all those who try to disrupt the election process. We are paying much attention to hold free and fair elections in the state as the whole world will be keenly watching polling in the state," he said.

"We have apprehensions that Pakistan may fire mortar and artillery shells on the polling day and target polling stations. So we have made proper alternative arrangements two km away from the border to facilitate smooth polling," he said.

Krishnamurthy said local government employees would man the polling booths this time.

"During the 1996 assembly and parliamentary elections, we had to bring employees from outside the state for poll duty. But things have changed and it is encouraging that local people are keen to work for successful conduct of polls," he said.

Of the 6,511 polling booths in the state, 70 per cent are rated either sensitive or hypersensitive, he said. Most of these are in the Kashmir valley.

He said the Election Commission had directed the local authorities to set up a tea stall, drinking water and rest place for voters near every polling booth.

"This is applicable to the entire country," he said.

Asked about the allegations by some contesting candidates that the ruling party was misusing the official machinery for election purposes, he said, "we have issued clear instructions that official positions should not be misused during polls."

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