election-commission-to-visit-j-k-for-assembly-poll-review

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is planning a visit to Jammu and Kashmir soon to evaluate the situation before announcing Assembly elections in the Union Territory.

“The dates for the visit of the full Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, will be finalised in consultation with the UT administration, but it is expected to happen shortly,” an ECI official said.

 

The final electoral rolls for Jammu and Kashmir are set to be published around August 25, although a slight delay is possible.

 

During the visit, the Commission will meet with top officials, District Election Officers (DEOs), political party representatives, and other stakeholders from both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.

 

In July, the Election Commission held multiple video conferences with the UT's Election Department to review the progress of the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls and other election preparations.

 

The Commission also plans to assess the security situation in the UT. “We will take reports from the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO),” the official added. 

 

Inputs from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs will also be considered before finalising the election dates.

 

The Supreme Court, in a ruling on December 11, 2023, instructed the Election Commission to conduct Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, 2024.

 

On August 1, the Election Commission ordered the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to ensure that no officer is posted to their home district. The compliance report is due by August 20.

 

Security concerns are significant given recent terrorist activities in the Jammu region. Sources indicate that over 50 foreign terrorists might be hiding in some districts.

 

No elections have been held for Jammu and Kashmir's 90-member Legislative Assembly since it became a Union Territory on August 5, 2019. 

 

This date also marked the abrogation of Article 370 and the separation of Ladakh as a distinct Union Territory.

 

Elections are to be held for 47 seats in the Kashmir division and 43 in the Jammu division.for 47 seats in the Kashmir division and 43 in the Jammu division.