While the Election Commission decision to defer the announcement of a date for election for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has caused a political storm, the authorities say it would be held either in November or in May 2009. Besides the weather, the availability of security forces is a major factor in determining the timing of the election in the border state.
Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said, “So far we have not been able to take a decision on holding the election in the state.” Sources said the Commission was still holding consultations with the home ministry and the J&K authorities on the deployment of security forces for the election in November.
“Most likely, the election would be held in November, but the EC wants to be sure about the arrangements,” senior government sources said.