Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections After a Decade: A Landmark Political Event
Jammu and Kashmir are set to witness their first Assembly elections in a decade, marking the first polls since the abrogation of Article 370. The Union Territory, which has been without an elected government for seven years, will head to the polls in three phases starting from September 18. The other two phases will be on September 25 and October 1, with votes being counted on October 4.
A Historic Election Post-Article 370
These elections are particularly significant as they are the first to be held after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The Election Commission’s announcement follows the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Centre’s move and mandate elections by September 30.
Election Phases and Constituency Details
The elections will be conducted in three phases, with the first phase covering 24 seats on September 18. The second phase, scheduled for September 25, will involve 26 seats, while the third phase on October 1 will cover 40 seats. This marks a significant political event, as the last Assembly polls were held in 2014 in five phases.
Significance of the Polls in J&K
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar emphasized that the record voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir indicates a strong desire among the people for change and democratic participation.
Changes in Jammu and Kashmir Post-Article 370
Since the scrapping of Article 370, the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir has undergone significant changes. The delimitation exercise has increased the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly from 83 to 90. This includes six additional seats for Jammu and one for Kashmir, bringing the total number of seats to 114, including 24 seats reserved for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Representation for Kashmiri Migrants and Others
For the first time, the new Assembly will include representation from the Kashmiri migrant community, with the Lieutenant Governor nominating two members from this community and one member from PoK who sought refuge in India after 1947.
2014 Assembly Election Recap
The last Assembly elections in 2014 saw a four-way contest between the National Conference, Congress, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), and the BJP. The PDP emerged as the single-largest party with 28 seats, followed by the BJP with 25 seats. Despite their success, the coalition government between PDP and BJP eventually collapsed in 2018, leading to the current political scenario.
Current Security Concerns
While the situation in Kashmir has stabilized, with no recent stone-pelting incidents, the Jammu region has seen a resurgence of terror attacks, particularly targeting security personnel. Government data indicates an increase in attacks, with 21 security personnel killed in Jammu in 2023 alone.
Conclusion
The upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are poised to reshape the region’s political landscape. As the first elections post-Article 370 abrogation, they hold immense significance for the future of the Union Territory. The voter turnout and election outcomes will be closely watched, both within India and internationally.
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