The Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, announced on Saturday that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be conducted soon after the Lok Sabha polls.
During a press conference, Kumar reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to holding assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir immediately after the Lok Sabha elections.
While many anticipated the announcement of elections for the Union territory, which last took place in 2014, it was clarified that conducting assembly elections simultaneously with the general elections posed logistical challenges.
When questioned about the decision to not hold assembly elections alongside the Lok Sabha polls, Kumar explained that providing security forces to every candidate would be impractical during nationwide elections.
He elaborated on the timeline, stating that the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act was amended in December 2023 following a delimitation exercise. Since then, the Election Commission’s preparations have been underway.
Kumar highlighted the discrepancy between the reorganisation act and the delimitation process, which were not synchronized until December 2023. Consequently, the Election Commission began its preparations post this amendment.
Despite the desire of all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to hold assembly elections simultaneously with parliamentary polls, logistical constraints made it unfeasible. The administrative machinery expressed difficulties in managing over 1,000 candidates across various assembly segments simultaneously.
The Election Commission announced the schedule for Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, where voting will occur on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. Ladakh will go to polls on May 20.
Specifically, Udhampur and Jammu constituencies will vote on April 19 and 26, respectively. Anantnag-Rajouri will vote on May 7, followed by Srinagar on May 13, and Baramulla on May 20. Vote counting will take place on June 4.
The decision to defer assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir underscores the logistical challenges associated with conducting simultaneous polls but emphasizes the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring a fair and efficient electoral process in the region.
