Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls Likely in Jammu & Kashmir: Another Delay in Local Democracy?

Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls Likely in Jammu & Kashmir: Another Delay in Local Democracy?

Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls Expected in Jammu & Kashmir, May Further Delay Local Elections

By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 25 July 2025

Another Twist in J&K’s Delayed Electoral Timeline?

Over five years since Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood and reorganized as a Union Territory, its residents still await restoration of grassroots democracy. While assembly elections remain a distant prospect, panchayat, municipal, and by-elections have also been indefinitely postponed. Now, yet another potential delay looms large.

According to top sources within the Election Commission of India, a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls—similar to the one recently initiated in poll-bound Bihar—is likely to be undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir after August 15, 2025.

This development, while technically procedural, has profound political and democratic implications in a region already under prolonged political limbo.

What Is Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process carried out by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure the accuracy, inclusiveness, and transparency of electoral rolls.

Objectives of SIR:

  • Add eligible citizens (18+ years of age) who are not already on the voter list

  • Remove ineligible or deceased voters

  • Correct clerical or demographic errors in electoral rolls

  • Address complaints of bogus or duplicate voters

  • Ensure a free and fair electoral environment

SIRs are typically conducted in areas with shifting demographics, disputed electorates, or where previous revisions were irregular or outdated.

Why Is J&K Being Prioritized Now?

According to a senior official in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K, the ECI has hinted that the revision process may commence soon after August 15.

“We have already begun training assistant returning officers and booth-level officers. It’s likely we’ll be directed to launch a full SIR exercise within weeks,” the official, requesting anonymity, told HT.

The timing is notable for several reasons:

  • Bihar’s SIR was ordered ahead of its 2025 assembly polls

  • J&K still awaits panchayat, municipal, and assembly elections

  • Political pressure is mounting nationally and internationally for restoring democratic processes in the UT

This suggests that the ECI may be preparing for electoral readiness—either as a precursor to elections, or as a legitimizing exercise amidst criticism.

What Could This Mean for Pending Local Elections?

Several elections remain pending in Jammu & Kashmir:

  1. Panchayat Elections

    • Last held in 2018, tenure expired in 2023

    • Village-level governance currently run by appointed administrators

  2. Urban Local Body Elections

    • Municipal bodies dissolved in November 2023

    • Cities, towns now run by bureaucratic control

  3. Bypolls to Vacant Assembly Seats

    • Including Budgam and Nagrota

    • Vacant since the 2018 dissolution of J&K Assembly

If SIR is initiated in late August or September 2025, the process could take 2–3 months minimum, thereby delaying any elections till late 2025 or early 2026.

This is raising fears among opposition parties and civil society groups that the democratic freeze in J&K is being systematically prolonged.

Legal Justification vs. Political Interpretation

Legal Standpoint:

Election Commission officials argue that Special Intensive Revisions are routine and constitutionally mandated.

“Ultimately, the country belongs to eligible voters. Only ineligible voters fear or oppose such exercises,” said the unnamed senior election official.

According to the Representation of the People Act, SIR can be undertaken at any time deemed necessary by the ECI.

Political Lens:

Opposition parties, however, interpret the move as yet another stalling tactic.

“This is a delaying tactic wrapped in legal garb,” said a senior leader from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“You can’t keep revising rolls for 5 years while denying people their vote.”

Who Are the Voters Affected?

Primarily affected:

  • New young voters (18–21) who became eligible after the 2019 delimitation

  • Gujjars, Bakarwals, and migrant laborers who often face issues in registration

  • Displaced Kashmiri Pandits, some of whom are now voters in transit camps

  • Residents of newly created wards or blocks

Concerns:

  • Lack of outreach in remote areas

  • Low literacy and digital access among rural voters

  • Manipulation fears by political groups

  • Fears of deliberate inclusion/exclusion based on political leanings

Why Is There No Chief Electoral Officer in J&K?

The credibility of the upcoming revision process is under the spotlight due to a vacuum at the top.

The term of BR Sharma, former Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of J&K, ended in May 2025, and no replacement has been appointed.

This headless electoral office creates administrative uncertainty:

  • Who will sign off on revision reports?

  • Who will handle disputes and appeals from citizens?

  • Who will coordinate with ECI in Delhi?

This lack of leadership raises questions about institutional preparedness and transparency.

Past Revisions and Controversies in J&K

Summary Revisions (2022 & 2023):

  • Carried out post delimitation process of 2022

  • Led to significant changes in constituency boundaries and voter lists

  • Thousands of complaints of duplicate entries, misclassification, and arbitrary deletions

Controversy:

  • Allegations of inclusion of non-locals as voters

  • Claims of voter rolls being engineered to alter the political balance

  • BJP and other parties clashed over the inclusion of armed forces personnel and migrant laborers

Given this context, the current SIR will be closely watched and hotly contested.

What Are Political Parties Saying?

PDP (Mehbooba Mufti):

“Another excuse to delay elections and deny the people their right to choose.”

National Conference (Omar Abdullah):

“Electoral revisions are important—but where is the election schedule?”

Apni Party (Altaf Bukhari):

“Roll revision is no substitute for elected governance.”

BJP:

“SIR is an administrative necessity. We support clean rolls and transparent elections.”

The divide is clear: Opposition sees obstruction, while the BJP calls it standard procedure.

Potential Outcomes of the SIR Exercise

Positive Scenarios:

  • Cleansing of bogus entries

  • Inclusion of youth, tribals, and marginalized groups

  • Preparatory groundwork for upcoming elections

Negative Scenarios:

  • Delayed polls across all levels

  • Manipulated rolls favoring one political party

  • Mistrust in democratic processes deepening among J&K residents

The outcome depends on execution, oversight, and judicial vigilance.

Expert Opinions

Prof. Noor Ahmed Baba, Political Analyst:

“SIR can be a healthy democratic exercise, but in the current J&K context, it looks like a clever ploy to delay accountability.”

Anjali Bhardwaj, Transparency Activist:

“The Election Commission must release timelines, guidelines, and public consultation mechanisms—or risk losing credibility.”

What the Constitution Says

Article 326 of the Constitution guarantees universal adult franchise.

The Representation of the People Act, 1950, empowers the ECI to:

  • Conduct electoral roll revisions

  • Decide their timing and methodology

  • Appoint electoral officials

However, delays in elections beyond reasonable time can be challenged under Article 324, which mandates timely and fair elections.

Timeline and Expected Phases of SIR in J&K

Phase Activity Timeline (Tentative)
Phase 1 Training & Preparation Aug 15 – Sep 1
Phase 2 Draft Roll Publication Mid Sep
Phase 3 Claims & Objections Period Sep – Oct
Phase 4 Final Roll Publication November 2025

This means no elections likely before December 2025 or early 2026, unless the process is accelerated or parallelized.

Bottom-Line: Democracy Deferred or Strengthened?

On paper, the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir is a constitutional responsibility. It is meant to empower the citizen and uphold the integrity of India’s democracy.

But on the ground, it also raises valid fears of yet another delay in restoring grassroots governance in the only Union Territory that has no elected legislature, no panchayats, and no municipal councils.

For now, all eyes will be on how the Election Commission balances its duty of updating electoral rolls with the people’s demand for timely elections.