| ULB, Panchayat polls likely after Amarnath Yatra | | | Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 14: In a significant development pointing toward the revival of grassroots democracy in the Union Territory, the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Panchayat elections are expected to be held in Jammu and Kashmir soon after the conclusion of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
The Yatra, which began on July 2, is scheduled to conclude on August 9, paving the way for the administration to initiate preparations for long-overdue local body polls.
Sources in the Union Territory administration indicate that the Election Authority is in the process of finalizing the voter rolls and other logistical arrangements, with a formal notification likely to be issued in late August or early September.
The move comes amid growing pressure from political parties and civil society to restore democratic institutions at the grassroots level, which have been without elected representatives for more than a year.
The tenure of both Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats, which were elected in 2018, expired in October and December 2023, respectively. Since then, governance at the municipal and panchayat levels has been handled by government-appointed administrators, leading to growing concerns over the lack of public representation, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
In the absence of elected bodies, developmental works at the grassroots have reportedly slowed, and public grievance redressal mechanisms have weakened.
According to officials in the Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission, the groundwork for holding the twin elections is already in progress. Delimitation of wards, rationalization of polling stations, and revision of electoral rolls are reportedly at advanced stages. The State Election Commission had earlier indicated that elections could only be held once the security and logistical landscape stabilizes.
With the conclusion of the Yatra, which sees thousands of paramilitary and police personnel deployed across Jammu and Kashmir for security arrangements, the administration will be better placed to focus on election preparations and the necessary deployment of forces for free and fair polls.
Restoration of grassroots democratic institutions is also expected to enhance development outcomes, promote citizen engagement, and improve public service delivery, particularly in sectors like water, sanitation, rural employment, and housing. |
|
