The dates for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections might be announced by August 20. Voting is expected to occur in 6 phases between October and early November. This will be the first assembly election in the region since Article 370 was repealed.
The Election Commission will meet with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on August 14 to discuss the security situation. On August 9, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and his team visited Jammu and Kashmir.
He stated that the commission is determined to hold the elections in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible and that no external or internal forces can disrupt the process. The people of J&K will respond strongly to those trying to divide the country.
Election Dates for Maharashtra, Jharkhand, And Haryana May Be Announced Soon
Besides Jammu and Kashmir, assembly elections are also scheduled for Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Haryana this year. Therefore, the Election Commission may also announce the election dates for these states.
On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court instructed the Election Commission to hold assembly elections in J&K by September 30, 2024. This ruling was part of the court’s response to petitions challenging the removal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Supreme Court Urges Swift Statehood For Jammu And Kashmir; Delimitation First
The Supreme Court emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir should be restored to statehood quickly, and elections should be conducted there. The decision to make Ladakh a Union Territory was upheld by the court.
On August 11, J&K LG Manoj Sinha explained that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stated in Parliament that delimitation would come first, followed by assembly elections, and then statehood would be granted at the right time.
He also noted that Prime Minister Modi visited Srinagar on June 20 and announced that elections would be held soon. An Election Commission team has visited the area and met with the people.