CALCUTTA: The Chief Election: Commissioner, T.N.Seshan, said that efforts were being made to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir before the expiry of President’s rule there on July 18, provided the Center asked for it.
Seshan told a press conference here that the election machinery was al- ways ready to hold the election there, if the Center felt that the situation in the Valley was conducive for it.
He said that the delimitation process and electoral lists for the Valley would be prepared as soon as it would be required and the election office would be instructed to ensure voting.
“The moment we finish the election process in Bihar, we will start it in Jammu and Kashmir since the voters there can’t remain in a state of disarray.
Justifying his order for rescheduling of the Assembly poll in Bihar several times, Seshan said it depended on many factors, including deployment of limited number of police force to man booths.
Denying the allegation that he was deliberately dragging Bihar towards President’s rule at the instruction of the Congress high command, Seshan said “I have not done any mistake and whatever measures I have taken were to hold free farm elections.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 31, 1995
