The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir expressed hope that the democratic exercise would be conducted soon in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday (August 11, 2024) that Assembly elections “will be held soon.” They would be the first since Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded to a Union Territory (UT) in 2019.
“I hope elections are held soon in Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister while in Srinagar for Yoga Day on June 20 said that elections would be held as soon as possible. An Election Commission team was also here,” Mr. Sinha said.
He mentioned recent developments where a team of the Election Commission met political parties, administrative officials, and other stakeholders, adding that the EC has the exclusive right to decide the schedule for Assembly elections in the Union Territory.
He reiterated the timeline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “Mr. Shah said in Parliament, delimitation first, then assembly elections, then statehood at an appropriate time. Things will proceed in the same sequence,” the J&K L-G said.
Talking to reporters in Jammu at the end of the two-day visit on Friday (August 9, 2024), Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the EC has already completed a review in Jammu and Kashmir, and with the Amarnath Yatra concluding on August 19, security requirements will be assessed in Delhi before announcing the election dates.
The visit of the Election Commission of India was the first major exercise for preparing the grounds for holding the maiden Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019.
The visit of the three-member EC team led by Mr. Kumar comes ahead of the September 30 deadline given by the Supreme Court for the completion of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
