Arrangements finalised to conduct free, fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 31 : Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda has said that all possible security arrangements would be made to ensure smooth conduct of seven-phase elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

After reviewing the security arrangements in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama district, Khoda said the candidates contesting the forthcoming assembly polls will be provided adequate security,

He said all required measures will be taken to ensure the security of the public and venue of public meetings to be addressed by various political parties.

Also security around the polling stations will be tightened so that the entire election process is conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

He said the entire security grid across the state would be strengthened by ensuring close coordination between various security agencies.

On Thursday, the Centre has dispatched 70 companies of para-military forces for polls duty.

The State Government had demanded for 625 companies of security forces for poll duty but due to elections in other five states only 452 were sanctioned.

There are 8109 polling stations in the state and they would be guarded as per their specifications of sensitive and hyper-sensitive nature.

The seven-phase assembly polls, starting on November 17 in Jammu and Kashmir, are expected to draw over 65 lakh voters at 8,000 polling stations in the state.

ANI