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Security scenario in J&K good, says Lyngdoh

By Our Staff Reporter

Jammu Aug. 19. The Chief Election Commissioner, J.M. Lyngdoh, today said the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir was good and very much conducive for holding free and fair elections.

The CEC, who along with the two Election Commissioners, T.S. Krishnamurthy and B.B. Tandon, arrived here this afternoon to review the poll preparations, told reporters that the EC reviewed the security situation in the presence of senior security officials of the State and it was inferred by the Commission that conditions were conducive for holding the polls.

He said the elections would be held as per schedule and all possible measures taken to ensure free and fair polls. "The situation in J&K is under control and manageable," he asserted.

Describing his visit to the Kashmir valley as "very encouraging" he said it had ensured tightening of things for holding free and fair elections.

On the demand for foreign observers during the polling, he said, "the country does not need foreign observers to certify the fairness of the poll in the State. The Commission is capable of ensuring free and fair polls".

He criticised the Jammu administration for anomalies in the voter list. "When all other districts of the State had managed to update the voter list, why did the local administration fail to do so," he asked. The demand of political parties for electoral rolls in Hindi would be conceded, he said.

On the Opposition parties' fear of rigging during the polls, the CEC said, "We have to do our job and we will do it firmly well."

The CEC visited the border areas of R S Pura, including the camps of migrants. Government sources told The Hindu that the CEC would visit the camps of Kashmiri Pandits tomorrow.

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