By Malik Zahoor
Srinagar, Aug 01 (KB): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced plans to conduct Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, meeting the Supreme Court’s deadline, sources indicated here on Thursday.
Sources privy to the development told the Kashmir Bulletin (KB) that the full commission will likely visit the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir within the next 10 days to finalize arrangements.
They added that to ensure a fair election process, the ECI has directed the Jammu and Kashmir administration to transfer officials posted in their home districts and those completing a three-year tenure by September 30.
Similarly, sources further added that instructions have been given to the chief secretaries of Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, where elections are also due later this year.
Lastly, Jammu and Kashmir has been without an elected government since December 2014. As the region marks five years as a Union Territory next week, the upcoming elections are crucial for restoring local governance.
Additionally, the center has amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, granting extensive powers to the lieutenant governor, similar to the administrative model in Delhi.— (KB)
