Jammu and Kashmir has registered a total of 86.93 lakh voters, as of the qualifying date on January 01, 2024. Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole on Monday revealed that the current count comprises 44.35 lakh male and 42.58 lakh female voters, bringing the electoral population ratio to 0.60, a slight improvement from 0.59. The gender ratio has increased from 924 to 954. This marks the third revision of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir, following the completion of the delimitation exercise on May 05, 2022.
This should hopefully pave the way for the long-awaited Assembly elections. The democratic representation of the people in Jammu and Kashmir is currently facing a hiatus across various institutions. The absence of Rajya Sabha members, impending conclusion of the tenure of all 5 Lok Sabha representatives, abolition of the 36-member J&K Legislative Council in August 2019, and the prolonged 10-year gap before the upcoming elections for the 90-member J&K Legislative Assembly by September 2024, all contribute to absence of regional voices in democratic processes.
Moreover, the terms of the 4,100 Panchayats with 40,000 Panches and Sarpanches have expired, along with the conclusion of terms for all Block Development Councils (BDCs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), including the prominent Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Jammu Municipal Corporation. The only exception lies with the 3rd tier of Panchayati Raj Institutions, the District Development Councils (DDCs), which have a remaining term of two years.
The looming question in 2024 revolves around whether elections will be conducted across these democratic institutions, with the exception of DDCs. The necessity for timely elections in J&K is critical to reinstating a functional and representative democracy in the region. It is crucial to address the current void in various legislative bodies and local governance structures, ensuring that the people of the union territory regain their rightful representation in the democratic framework.
True, the upcoming parliament polls offer an opportunity to people in the UT to exercise their democratic. But 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.
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