Click to play videoSrinagar: The countdown for elections in Jammu and Kashmir seems to have begun.
Chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami's five-member team has wrapped up its visit after meeting Governor N N Vohra, civil, police and security officials in the state.
Sources have told CNN-IBN that the agencies are keen that elections be held on schedule in November-December to send out a message that the state was undaunted by threats.
Chief electoral officer, Jammu and Kashmir B R Sharma, ``They were happy in the sense that there are certain benchmarks to be crossed. I am sure the election department is meeting those benchmarks.”
However, coming to a decision is not easy with political parties in the state divided over when to hold elections.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti says,``People's confidence should be restored first before going to polls. Elections were always held and will be held in future.”
National Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah says, ``The decision to hold polls vests with the election commission. We leave it with them. Should they decide to hold polls, NC will not shy away.''
Not taking chances, preparations on the ground have begun. Ten thousand election voting machines (EVMs) have been dispatched to various districts.
Also 45,000 officials for 9113 polling booths have been kept ready for the smooth conduct of polls.
The election office have also prepared 80 per cent of the Election Photo Identity.
After much dabbling and hesitation, decks finally seem to have been cleared for the conduct of polls in the beleaguered state.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be keenly watched exercise in the country and outside it.
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