Jammu and Kashmir to hold first Assembly Elections since Article 370's abrogation
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The long-awaited Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, will take place in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1, with results expected on October 4, according to an announcement by the Election Commission on Friday.
This marks a significant step towards fulfilling the Supreme Court's mandate that democracy be reinstated in the region by September 30.
Jammu and Kashmir has been under Governor's Rule since 2018, and the Assembly election has been pending since 2014. In a speech in Srinagar last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that an election would be held soon and that statehood would eventually be restored.
The Election Commission has stated that the final voter list will be published by August 20, just after the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra. Approximately 8.7 million voters are expected to participate in the election.
"The people are eager for change... they want to shape a new future," said Election Commission chief Rajiv Kumar. He emphasized the enthusiasm observed during his recent visit to J&K, highlighting the long queues at polling stations during the previous Lok Sabha elections as evidence of the people's desire to be part of the democratic process.
The announcement follows a major reshuffle of senior police officers in Jammu and Kashmir, including new district chiefs and a new head for the Intelligence Wing of the J&K Police. This move, which took place just hours before the election dates were announced, has drawn criticism from opposition parties like the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, especially as some districts in Jammu have seen a surge in terrorist activities.
National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the election dates but expressed concerns over the timing of the police reshuffle, suggesting it could benefit the central government and the BJP. Abdullah noted that this is the first time since the late 1980s that an election in J&K is being held in phases, and he pledged that his party has been preparing for the polls.
The BJP's J&K in-charge, Tarun Chugh, also welcomed the announcement, asserting that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, J&K has been freed from Article 370, and the people have placed their trust in the BJP to lead.