‘ECI has asked for additional 687 companies not 75,000 personnel’
Srinagar, Apr 30 : The Election Commission is likely to take final decision on by-polls on Anantnag parliamentary seat as the body is holding meeting in New Delhi tomorrow (Monday).
Chief Election Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, Shantmanu told KNS that the final decision about holding by-polls on Anantnag parliamentary seat will be taken tomorrow (Monday).
“I have submitted the report to Election Commission of India. The state government wanted the by-polls to be postponed to October. ECI has submitted its request to Home Ministry for additional allotment of 687 companies of paramilitary forces for security during the elections,” Shantmanu told KNS.
He said that the Home ministry replied to ECI later Saturday afternoon. “The ECI is scheduled to hold meeting on Monday in which final decision about the by-polls will be taken,” he said.
Earlier, reports had said that additional 7, 5000 troops will be deployed for by-polls in Anantnag parliamentary seat.
However, the CEO said that the figure quoted by the media reports is not correct. “I don’t know from where did the media get figures of 75,000. ECI has asked for 687 companies,” he said.
The by-elections, slated for April 12, were postponed to May 25 after killing of eight civilians in Budgam and Ganderbal districts on by-poll day on April 9 when the elections were held for Srinagar parliamentary seat.
Following killings of civilians and low turnout in the polls, the ruling party candidate, Tasaduq Mufti, had on April 10 appealed the Election Commission of India to postpone the elections. But the opposition Congress candidate G A Mir had termed the PDP’s demand “meaningless” and wanted elections on time. (KNS)