The Election Commission on Friday reviewed the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir with Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, fuelling speculation that the assembly polls in the state would be held on time.
The three-member Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, is understood to have discussed the security requirements and other logistics with Gupta to ensure free and fair polls in the state.
The meeting assumed significance as the Commission returned from the state after a two-day visit on October seven and eight when it met various political parties and senior civil and police officials of the state government to review the poll preparations.
During the discussions the EC had with political parties in Srinagar, Kashmir-based parties said they would abide by the decision of the Commission though they claimed that the current atmosphere was not conducive for the elections.
The BJP and the Left, however, wanted immediate elections while Congress left it to EC to take a call.
The term of the assembly, which was dissolved following the breakup of the Congress-PDP coalition in the wake of the Amarnath land transfer row, ends on November 20.