Political parties have raised hopes that assembly elections in the Union territory could be held this year as a result of the Election Commission of India’s anticipated visit to Jammu and Kashmir this month.
The last assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014, five years before the erstwhile state was reorganised into two Union territories on August 5, 2019.
The Centre then set up a delimitation commission for J&K, which submitted its report in October last year. Recently, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that the poll panel was aware that there’s a “vacuum” in the Union territory that needs to be filled. He said the polls will be held keeping in mind various factors, including weather and security concerns.
While the ECI has yet to announce the visit, local media reports have suggested it could happen this month.
BJP leader Darakhshan Andrabi said her party and its cadres were ready for the polls whenever the Election Commission decides to hold them. “We believe in democracy, and democracy means elections. Our party and our cadres are ready for elections anytime,” Andrabi told the media.
She said the situation was good for holding the polls, but the final call will be made by the EC.
“The government would want that the elections are held at the earliest. We want to take Kashmir forward; for the rest, we will leave the decision to the Election Commission,” Andrabi added.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said the proposed visit of the Election Commission to the Union Territory was a welcome step and the time had come to hold the polls. “This is a welcome step. The EC visit has been long-pending because the people of Jammu and Kashmir are yearning for elections.
The visit is being viewed positively in light of statements made by the LG, who said the Jammu and Kashmir administration is ready to hold elections anytime,” Bukhari said.
“We hope they will take a decision once they are here, after meeting stakeholders, and announce the elections soon. We are ready, and the elections have already been delayed. People have been without an elected government for the last five years now,” he added.
