The long-awaited Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections are expected to be announced this month, with the Election Commission planning to conduct the polls by mid-August. This development follows a record turnout of 58.58% in the recent Lok Sabha – 51.05% in the Kashmir Valley. The recent Lok Sabha elections were among the most peaceful in the region in decades, enhancing confidence in the electoral process.
The Election Commission is preparing for these elections despite the challenges posed by the monsoon season. To facilitate a smooth electoral process, the Commission has taken several steps, including inviting non-recognised but registered political parties to apply for their preferred election symbols. This move allows these parties to field candidates under a common symbol, promoting a more inclusive and representative electoral contest.
Previously, only candidates from national, state, or regionally recognised parties could use a common symbol, while registered parties competed with separate free symbols as independents. The new provision aims to level the playing field and enhance political diversity.
The Supreme Court has already directed the central government to hold the Legislative Assembly elections by September 30. The completion of delimitation and voter list revisions has set the stage for these elections, with the number of Assembly seats increased from 107 to 114, including 24 for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will now have 90 seats, with the new Vaishno Devi and Katra constituencies in Reasi district among them.
Of these 90 seats, 43 are in the Jammu region and 47 in the Kashmir Valley. Nine seats gave been reserved for Scheduled Castes and seven for Scheduled Tribes, ensuring representation for marginalized communities.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are hopeful that the new government will soon restore statehood. It was on June 19, 2018, that the BJP withdrew support to the J&K coalition government headed by the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, paving the way for Governor’s rule in the then state. Later, former J&K Governor, Satya Pal Malik, dissolved the assembly in November. This was followed by the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5, 2019, and the downgrading of the state into a union territory. The position of the Governor was reduced to that of Lieutenant Governor. Over five years have passed since then without assembly elections and any sign of restoration of statehood. Now, there are hopeful signs that these elections will finally be held. The reestablishment of a local government will be a critical step towards self-governance and political stability.
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