As the Jammu And Kashmir Panchayats and Municipalities complete their 5 year term, the State Election Commission prepares to hold the Panchayat Elections due in October-November this year, in the state. “Legally, terms of the Panchayats will expire on January 9, 2024 and as per the Panchayati Raj Act, process for Panchayat polls has to be completed a month ahead of expiry of their term which comes out at December 9, 2023,” said BR Sharma, who took oath as the SEC Commisioner of J&K, last week.
Sharma in an interview with Great Kashmir, underlined that the method to be followed for the election remains inconclusive. However, he hinted at the election to be likely held on a non-party basis. "The final decision will be made by the government and the Election Commission will proceed accordingly," he said.
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He stated that the electoral rolls had been revised, and the refugees and others who were given rights post abrogation of article 370 had also been included in the voters list and deemed eligible to cast votes. Nevertheless,it will be followed with a special revision to avoid any discrepancies.
The last panchayat polls were held at the same time in 2018, post the PDP-BJP split and the state was brought under the gambit of the Centre. The forthcoming elections are seen as a step towards fostering democracy in the region, at the grassroots level. The Lok Sabha Polls are scheduled to follow in April-May 2024.
