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| ULB, Panchayat polls set to revive grassroots democracy in 2026 | | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 31: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is likely to go to the polls for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayat elections in 2026, a move aimed at strengthening grassroots democracy after prolonged delays.
Although the tenure of the existing District Development Councils (DDCs) is set to end in February, the process for holding ULB and Panchayat elections is expected to begin shortly. Officials said the delay in conducting these polls has resulted in the Union Territory government incurring losses amounting to several crores of rupees every month, prompting the administration to expedite the process.
As reported earlier by this newspaper, the government has already initiated steps to conduct the long-pending elections by constituting a selection committee to appoint the State Election Commissioner (SEC)—a key constitutional requirement for holding local body polls.
The absence of the SEC, which had emerged as a major impediment to the conduct of grassroots-level elections in the Union Territory, is likely to be addressed soon. If circumstances permit, the selection committee, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is expected to hold its first meeting next week to finalise the appointment.
The post of State Election Commissioner has remained vacant since April this year, following the completion of the tenure of B.R. Sharma. The SEC is the constitutional authority mandated to conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, the se Although the tenure of the existing District Development Councils (DDCs) is set to end in February, the process for holding ULB and Panchayat elections is expected to begin shortly.
The delay in conducting these polls has resulted in the UT government incurring losses amounting to several crores of rupees every month, prompting the administration to expedite the process.
The government has already initiated steps to conduct the long-pending elections by constituting a selection committee to appoint the State Election Commissioner.
Polls are likely to be held in February or March, subject to the prevailing situation.
Sources said that three retired IAS and IPS officers are currently under consideration for the post.
It may be recalled that the tenure of Municipal bodies in Jammu and Kashmir ended in November 2023, while that of Panchayats concluded in January 2024. The elections were deferred due to security considerations and the pending implementation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation in Municipal bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions. The process was further delayed after the SEC’s post fell vacant in April.
Recently, the government amended the relevant legislation to increase the upper age limit for the State Election Commissioner from 65 to 70 years, expanding the pool of eligible candidates. Officials from the State Election Commission and the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department said that most of the groundwork for Panchayat elections has already been completed.
Once the SEC is appointed, the election process is expected to gain momentum, with polls likely to be held in February or March, subject to the prevailing situation. Officials also noted that the tenure of the District Development Councils is due to expire in February 2026. |
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