Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls: Election Commission watching situation closely

The Election Commission is watching "very closely" the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is hit by the worst-ever floods, and the decision on conducting assembly polls will be taken after things come to some shape there, poll panel chief V S Sampath said today.

"We are watching the situation very closely. After things come to some shape, we will find out (and) depending upon the situation, a decision will be taken," Sampath told reporters here.

The assembly elections in Haryana (90 constituencies) and Maharashtra (288 constituencies) will be held on October 15 and counting of the votes will take place on October 19, the EC announced today. 

Sampath said the Commission would be coming out with separate schedule for Jharkhand, whose assembly's term comes to end in January next year. "Jharkhand will be in a separate phase. It is not along with these. We will be coming up separately with announcement on Jharkhand. Both Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir, their (assemblies) due date is till January 2015," he said.

The terms of 81-member Jharkhand and 87-member J-K assemblies end on January 3 and January 19, 2015 respectively.

Flood triggered by heavy rain in Jammu and Kashmir has claimed over 200 lives so far and left thousands homeless. It has also caused extensive damage to road, rail and telecommunication infrastructure in the state.