J&K: Elections unlikely this year in J&K as EC defers publication of electoral rolls

Srinagar: The Election Commission has deferred the final publication of Electoral Rolls in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which is without an elected assembly since 2018.

The final draft of Electoral Rolls will be published on 25th of November instead of 31st October as announced by the commission previously.

The fresh announcement by the Election Commission, political experts, believe will not pave the way for holding elections in the Union Territory of J&K as during the month of December Kashmir receives heavy snowfall and experiences harsh weather conditions. 40 days of Chili-a-Kalan _Harsh winter- also begins from the month December.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Election Commission of India while extending period for filing of claims and objections from 30 days to 40 days i.e. September 15 to October 25, 2022 said that the final Electoral Rolls after due disposal of all claims and objections filed within stipulated time period shall be published on November 25, 2022.

It noted that presently, the pre-revision activities as well as post-Delimitation follow up work is going on in Jammu and Kashmir wherein the existing Electoral Rolls are being mapped into newly delimited Assembly constituencies as per the Delimitation Commission’s final order made applicable by the Union Law Ministry with effect from May 20, 2022.

“As part of the pre-revision activities, the process of rationalization/re-arrangement of Polling Stations, removal of discrepancies of Demographically Similar Entries/Photo Similar Entries, Duplicate EPIC, preparation of supplements and integrated draft rolls with reference to October 1, 2022, as the qualifying date is going on at present in J&K. The integrated draft rolls with reference to October 1, 2022, as qualifying date shall now be published by all Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) of the UT on September 15, 2022, marking the formal beginning of the revision activities,” the Election Commission’s order, reproduced by the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, said.

It added that the revision activities which shall begin on September 15 include disposal of claims and objections received after publication of integrated draft electoral roll.

Several Political parties including Congress in Jammu and Kashmir have been demanding holding of elections and restoration of statehood.

Congress Party is holding a 'padyatra' in South Kashmir to celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day. “Apart from highlighting the sacrifices of freedom fighters because of which India got its freedom from the British, we are also demanding restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir,” Ghulam Ahmad Mir , JKPCC President Ghulam Ahmad Mir told TNN.

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party led by former PDP Leader and Minister Altaf Bukhari has been holding public rallies across the UT to mount pressure on the central government for holding elections in J&K.

Then Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the assembly in 2018 hours after political parties staked claims to form a government in J&K through social media sites.

On 5th of August 2019, the Modi Government revoked Article 370 and downgraded Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory. Home Minister Amit Shah on the floor of the house has promised that the statehood of J&K will be restored at an appropriate time.