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Gill confident of holding elections in 'good time'

Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill today expressed confidence that the Lok Sabha elections will be held in ''good time'' to constitute the 13th house before October 20, as required under the Constitution.

Speaking to mediapersons, Dr Gill refused comment on speculation about postponement of the elections because of the Kargil conflict.

''I have full confidence in the Indian armed forces that they will be able to deal with the situation and get it under control,'' he added.

He said the commission was conscious that the task of conducting the 13th Lok Sabha elections was much more complex than at any other time in the past but added that the commission also had a constitutional duty to fulfil. ''And we shall do that,'' he added.

Dr Gill said the commission members are meeting Home Secretary Kamal Pande on June 24 to discuss availability of paramilitary forces for smooth conduct of the elections.

Asked when the commission would announce the poll schedule, Dr Gill said ''neither too early nor too late''. He added that the code of conduct would come into force the moment the schedule is announced.

In reply to a question, Dr Gill said he could not comment at present on whether elections would be held in the six constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir along with the rest of the country.

Asked if the poll schedule would be staggered over a longer period due to shortage of paramilitary forces, Dr Gill said the commission was studying the situation and would find a way around it.

''In the last election also, there were four polling dates. So let us see how the time frame for this election shapes up,'' he added.

Stating that the commission would have to give at least two weeks' time for the formation of the new government after the elections, Dr Gill said this meant that the poll process would actually have to be completed by October 7.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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