Three special observers to advise Election Commission on J&K Assembly polls

Having announced Lok Sabha polls for Jammu and Kashmir, the poll body has appointed a three-member team of special central observers to help it decide on Assembly elections in the state. The three met the Commission at its headquarters on Tuesday to discuss the process ahead.

The meeting

The observers, Dr Noor Mohammad, Vinod Zutshi and AS Gill, met Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra. Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena, who is in charge of the state, briefed them on poll preparations and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Commission explained their roles and responsibilities. They were told they could travel to the state at the earliest.

During their visit, the team is to meet members of the public, political parties and district and state officials, gather inputs from all concerned and try to understand the situation on the ground.

Who the observers are

• AS Gill has experience in security management in difficult areas and held senior posts in the CRPF, including in Jammu and Kashmir in 1995-97.
• Dr Noor Mohammad, a former Secretary, has worked in election management, including as Deputy Election Commissioner, as an adviser to Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Electoral Officer and as an international expert in Afghanistan.
• Vinod Zutshi, also a former Secretary to the Central government, has election experience at the state level in Rajasthan and as Deputy Election Commissioner at the Commission.

What happened next

In August 2019 Parliament ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and reorganised the state into two union territories. Assembly elections were eventually held in 2024: the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference won 42 seats and the BJP 29, and Omar Abdullah became Chief Minister.

See also: election news.

Originally published on 13 March 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us