The Election Commission on Monday assessed security arrangements across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and two senior officials from Jammu and Kashmir also attended the meeting. The internal security review was held days after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed in a car-bomb explosion.
It is learnt that the Commission took stock of preparedness in terms of the availability and timely deployment of security forces during the election, particularly in vulnerable areas.
Over the past few weeks, the Chief Election Commissioner and other senior officials have visited several States, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and held meetings with the police and administration officials. Workshops on effective use of EVMs and VVPATs have also been conducted as part of the sensitisation drive.
The Commission may seek another ground report on the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir before deciding on whether simultaneous elections for the Assembly and the Lok Sabha elections can be held in the State.
