The Hindu : CEC rules out early polls in J&K

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 11, 2002

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CEC rules out early polls in J&K

SRINAGAR, MARCH 10. The Chief Election Commissioner, J.M. Lyngdoh, ruled out early Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir where the term of the present House ends in October and said the commission's priority was free and fair polls.

The Assembly elections were not round the corner and the Election Commission would not like to hold early elections just for the sake of it. He said this after holding extensive meetings with leaders of political parties and Government officials.

The CEC said his priority was to hold fair elections and to ensure that electronic voting machines were used in the State for the first time.

Mr. Lyngdoh said no date would be suitable for all and the election schedule would be finalised after consulting all political parties.

It was the duty of the EC to instill confidence among the people and political parties about the fairness of the elections. ``We want to demonstrate to the people that we mean to hold good elections.''

About steps to be taken for ensuring free and fair elections, he said the voters' lists would be made as accurate as possible as he had received some complaints about the present rolls which had not been updated for many years.

- PTI

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