• Counting of votes in all states on December 8.

No voting in valley

Reported differences among the Election Commissioners today appeared to have stalled a decision on holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which witnessed large scale violence triggered by the controversy over the Amarnath land row.

The Commission, which announced the assembly poll schedule for five states, did not give any decision on whether elections will be held in the troubled border state before the expiry of Governor's rule on January 10.

Though Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said at a crowded press conference that the EC is still assessing the situation in the state, the commission is understood to have deferred a decision on polls there reportedly because of difference of opinion among its three members.

While the two Election Commissioners, Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi, were reportedly in favour of holding elections in the state, the CEC was understood to have some reservations on it.

Gopalaswami is understood to have told the other two Commissioners that he may give a note of dissent if the EC wants to go ahead with the polls there. He is said to be of the view that while elections can be held, there should also be adequate participation by the people.

In case of a split among the three, the decision of the majority would prevail and at the moment the Commission is said to be keen on avoiding a split verdict. However, there was no official word from the Commission on the issue.

... contd.