Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Aug 16 (KINS): In a significant announcement, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has revealed that the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) assembly elections will be held in three phases.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, during a press briefing, emphasized the importance of the elections, expressing optimism about the democratic process in the region.
According to the ECI, the election schedule for Jammu and Kashmir will commence on August 20 with the official notification of the elections. The three phases of polling will be conducted as follows:
Phase 1: September 18
Phase 2: September 25
Phase 3: October 1
Counting of votes will take place on October 4, marking the conclusion of the electoral process.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, reflecting on the upcoming elections, said, “We are on a very happy note that the elections are going to be held in Jammu and Kashmir. This marks a significant moment for the region, and we are committed to ensuring a fair and democratic process.”
Kumar also highlighted the security concerns raised by various political parties in the region. “The political parties have raised the issue of security for all candidates. We will ensure that all candidates receive the necessary security measures to guarantee their safety during the elections,” he added.
The Chief Election Commissioner reiterated the success of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which he described as “the biggest election process at the world level.” He noted, “It was completed successfully and peacefully. It created a very strong democratic surface for the entire democratic world. It was peaceful, without any violence, and the whole country celebrated the festival of elections. We also made many records. For the first time, maximum polling took place in the world.”
Jammu and Kashmir, with 90 assembly constituencies following delimitation, is preparing for an electoral process that involves over 87.09 lakh registered voters. Of these, 42.6 lakh are female voters, underscoring the ECI’s focus on encouraging women’s participation. The electoral roll update is still ongoing, with 3.71 lakh first-time voters and over 20 lakh youth voters set to participate. The final electoral rolls will be made available to the public on August 20.
Kumar also praised the enthusiasm of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, noting that during a recent visit to the region, both the public and political parties expressed eagerness to hold the elections as soon as possible. “The long queues in the Lok Sabha elections proved that everybody wanted to participate in the democratic process. The people wanted to change the atmosphere of Jammu and Kashmir and be a part of the system,” he remarked.
To accommodate the voters, over 11,000 polling stations have been set up across the region, with several new stations introduced to ensure accessibility for all, including Kashmiri migrants. The ECI is hopeful for higher voter participation from women and youth in this historic election.
“The valley has thrown away the violence and chosen the ballot over bullets,” Kumar said, reflecting the commission’s hope that these elections would solidify the progress towards peace and democracy in the region.
The elections, according to Kumar, represent a triumph of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrating the region’s embrace of a peaceful, democratic future.
