india

Updated: Apr 27, 2019 00:03 IST

The Jammu and Kashmir administration led by governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday told the Election Commission that it was not possible to hold assembly elections in June as the entire administration and security personnel would be busy handling other responsibilities this summer.

Instead, a proposal has been made to the poll panel to hold the elections after October, according to officials in the governor’s office. The state is currently under President’s Rule.

“A team including security officials categorically told the ECI that it was not possible to hold assembly elections in June owing to Ramzan, Bakerwal migration, tourist season and the Amarnath Yatra,” an official said, adding, “A lot of troops would be needed for Amarnath Yatra.” “Now it’s up to the ECI to take a decision.”

The development came on the day when the office of J&K chief electoral officer (CEO) issued a letter that was withdrawn within hours. The additional chief electoral officer, J&K, issued a communication to all the deputy commissioners, who are also district election officers, to furnish information about nodal officers for the “forthcoming assembly elections”. Later, additional CEO Rakesh Kumar Srangal clarified the communication has been withdrawn. “The letter was wrongly connected to conduct of assembly elections,” he said.

The state was placed under Governor’s Rule, as provided by the Constitution of the state, on June 19, 2018, after the BJP withdrew from its coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party.