J&K Elections between September And November This Year? ECI Documents Offer Hint

In yet another hint that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are on track for next month, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the union territory has sought to hire two helicopters for the polls for a period between September and November.

News18 has accessed two bid documents issued by the Chief Electoral Officer of J&K on August 6 asking for the hiring of a single-engine chopper and a helicopter ambulance for assembly elections in the UT. The documents say the Election Commission wants the helicopters for “tentative 30-45 days during the period from September 2024 to November 2024”.

“Dates are yet to be decided for the Election…once announced by the ECI the same will be communicated,” the document says.

Poll Body To Review J&K Situation

Incidentally, the full team of the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be in J&K for three days starting August 8 to review the situation ahead of assembly elections for which the Supreme Court has fixed a deadline of September 30. The J&K polls could be spread over 5-6 phases if the security establishment gives a go-ahead to ECI.

Earlier, the poll body asked the union territory of J&K to finalise the electoral rolls by August 20 and also transfer all election officials posted in their home districts by the same date. The last assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held a decade ago, and the erstwhile state was split into two UTs after Article 370 and 35A were abrogated five years ago by the Centre.

What Does ECI Need Choppers For?

The bid document says the helicopter ambulance and the single-engine chopper are intended to be stationed at any location within Jammu and Kashmir and the exact location will be communicated by the Chief Electoral Officer depending upon the requirement and the election phases.

“The period and number of days can be changed depending on the actual schedule of Legislative Assembly Elections in UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The period and number of days shall be communicated accordingly. The Helicopter will be utilized for the transportation of election officials, candidates, and essential election materials during the Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir as per requirement. In the event of an emergency, the helicopters may be required for swift response and evacuation procedures, as directed by the CEO, J&K,” the documents say.

The helicopter ambulance may be used for transferring patients to a designated super speciality hospital in Jammu or Srinagar and there will be the availability of sufficient stock of life-saving drugs on the chopper, along with two qualified doctors.

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