Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Aug 6: Ahead of Election Commission of India’s visit, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has set the ball rolling for hiring of helicopters for the electoral exercise. The helicopters are required from September to November, but, as per documents, the timing can change depending upon election schedule to be announced by the poll body.
The CEO’s office has invited bids from reputed companies for hiring a helicopter and a helicopter ambulance for the Assembly polls in the Union Territory, which is without an elected government for over six years now.
As per documents, these helicopters are required from September 2024 to November 2024. “The period and number of days can be changed depending on the actual schedule of Legislative Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The period and number of days shall be communicated accordingly,” reads the documents.
This is another indication that polls in Jammu & Kashmir would take place by September, the deadline set by the Supreme Court.
In December last year, the Supreme Court, while upholding the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre, had directed the poll body to conduct elections in Jammu & Kashmir by September 30, 2024.
Jammu & Kashmir is without an elected government since June 19, 2018 when BJP withdrew support to Mehbooba Mufti-led government, citing “deteriorating” security in the erstwhile state. Since then, elections have not been held in J&K. The last assembly election in J&K was held in 2014.
