J-K politicians pip Haryana's in seeking permissions for rallies, venues

Politicians in Jammu and Kashmir have sought and received around four times more permissions for organising rallies and booking meeting venues than their counterparts in Haryana, official data shows.

While assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases beginning September 18, in Haryana the democratic exercise will take place in a single phase on October 5.

According to data available with offices of chief electoral officers of Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, over 3,100 permissions for rally grounds and halls have been granted so far in the Union territory via the Election Commission's Suvidha application.

In Haryana, the number of permissions stand at over 850, according to latest data available on the Suvidha application.

During their review visit to Jammu and Kashmir on September 11 and 12, EC officials have told the UT administration that no last-minute restrictions would be imposed on the number of participants allowed in rallies or meetings.

The ...