The Election Commission has announced that Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly elections will be held in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1, with results to be declared on October 4. This move comes in response to a Supreme Court directive mandating the restoration of democracy in the region by September 30. The final voter list is expected by August 20, and around 87 lakh voters are anticipated to participate.
Election Commission chief Rajiv Kumar highlighted the public’s enthusiasm for the elections and their desire for change. He noted long queues during the Lok Sabha elections as evidence of the people’s eagerness to vote.
The announcement follows a significant reshuffle of senior police officers in J&K, which has raised concerns among opposition parties like the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party. They fear the changes might influence the election’s outcome.
The Supreme Court’s December ruling had mandated the holding of Assembly polls by September 30, following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the region into two union territories.
