Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Election Commission announced on Friday that Jammu and Kashmir will hold its first Assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370. The polls are scheduled to take place in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with the results to be declared on October 4.
This election marks a significant step towards fulfilling the Supreme Court’s directive to restore democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier indicated that the elections would be conducted soon, with a promise to restore statehood.
In preparation for the polls, the Election Commission will publish the final voter list by August 20, immediately following the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra. Approximately 87 lakh voters are expected to participate in the election.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager for change and are ready to shape a new future,” said Election Commission Chief Rajiv Kumar. He emphasized the enthusiasm observed during the Commission’s recent visit to the region, noting the long queues seen during the Lok Sabha elections as evidence of the public’s desire for democratic participation.
Kumar expressed confidence in the electorate’s determination to “choose ballots over bullets,” signaling a commitment to peaceful and democratic change. The Election Commission’s team, led by Kumar, visited J&K earlier this month to assess election preparations, meeting with political parties and security officials.
In a related development, a large-scale reshuffle of senior police officers, including district chiefs and the head of J&K Police’s Intelligence unit, took place just hours before the election dates were announced. This reshuffle comes amid an increase in terror attacks in some districts of Jammu.
This will be the third visit by the Election Commission to J&K since 2019, following earlier visits related to the Lok Sabha elections. The Commission had previously declined to hold simultaneous elections during those visits.
The Supreme Court had directed the Election Commission in December last year to conduct the Assembly polls by September 30, in response to petitions challenging the revocation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. While the court upheld the Article 370 decision, it emphasized the need for a democratically elected government and the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
