State Election Commission Making Arrangements for Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies Elections
The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, announced on Monday that the State Election Commission (SEC) is actively preparing for the upcoming panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections. However, he mentioned that the position of the State Election Commissioner is currently vacant, which could potentially delay the process.
During a session in the Legislative Assembly, CM Omar responded to Congress MLA Tariq Hameed Karra’s query regarding the status of the elections. He acknowledged that the approval and notification of the OBC Commission report are pending, which is crucial for moving forward with the election procedures.
According to CM Omar, the SEC holds the responsibility for overseeing the electoral rolls and conducting elections under various acts. The term for Panchayats and BDCs expired in January 2024, while the term for DDCs will end in February 2026. Similarly, the terms for municipal corporations and councils expired between October and November 2023.
CM Omar highlighted that the delimitation of Panchayat Halqas and ULBs has been a significant focus. While Panchayat Halqas were delimited based on the 2011 census data, the delimitation of ULBs is still in progress. The reservation of wards is contingent upon the approval and notification of the OBC Commission report.
He emphasized that without a new census conducted post-2011, there is no current proposal for fresh delimitation of Panchayat Halqas. The delimitation process for most ULBs has been completed, with a few remaining under review by the Housing and Urban Development Department.
CM Omar assured the House that once the OBC Commission report is approved, the process of reservation or rotation of wards for Sarpanchs, Panchs, and municipal wards will commence. This step is crucial for ensuring fair representation and inclusivity in the upcoming elections.
