Election Year

With general elections due to be held in May-June, there is talk that Panchayat and Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir’s are likely to follow the exercise. The tenure of nearly 4,900 village panchayats concluded on Tuesday, leaving rural areas without elected grassroots representatives. However, the District Development Councils, established through direct elections in 2020, remain active. As for the Assembly elections, the Supreme Court’s deadline of September 2024 has added a timeline to this process. Logistical and security assessments for these elections are expected during the Election Commission’s visit to the region as part of its Lok Sabha polls review. In parallel, the State Election Commission has announced a special summary revision of electoral rolls for Panchayat elections to include newly eligible voters. The final electoral rolls for panchayats are slated for publication on February 26. This should normally pave the way for the poll process in the union territory.

The last Assembly elections date back to 2014, which makes for a prolonged absence of a democratic governance in the UT. J&K has not had an elected government since June 2018 when Governor’s rule was imposed after the PDP-led coalition government lost its majority following the withdrawal of support by the BJP. Subsequently, on August 5, 2019, New Delhi abrogated Article 370 that granted J&K special status under India’s constitution. Since then the Lieutenant Governor has taken over from the Governor. Though the period has witnessed all-round development and ushering in of normalcy, the democratic void has had definite implications for governance, representation, and the holistic involvement of diverse voices in decision-making processes. The delay in Assembly elections prolongs the absence of a locally accountable government, which does impact the implementation of policies tailored to address the unique challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir. Like the rest of the country, the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve a democratic government for voicing their grievances and aspirations through elected representatives who can engage in legislative processes and policymaking.

The Election Commission’s upcoming visit to the region offers an opportune moment to assess the logistical and security requisites for holding Assembly elections. Mobilizing election workers, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and ensuring adequate security arrangements necessitate strategic planning, which must align with the Supreme Court’s deadline. The union government has also promised the Supreme Court that it is serious about holding Assembly elections in the UT in near future. Things will certainly become clearer in the weeks and months to come.

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