Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024: Road to Restoration of Statehood

As the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir completes five years of abrogation of article 370, it seems increasingly likely that the long-awaited Assembly elections will take place before the Supreme Court’s September 30, 2024 deadline. This crucial development follows recent reports that the Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. SS Sandhu, has initiated an essential two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to assess and review the electoral process in the region.

The ECI’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir underscores its unwavering commitment to ensuring a seamless and transparent electoral process. This proactive approach by the ECI reflects its dedication to fostering a democratic environment where the voices of the people of Jammu and Kashmir can be heard clearly and fairly. During this visit, the ECI engaged in comprehensive discussions with District Election Officers and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to deliberate on the administrative and security arrangements critical to the successful conduct of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Supreme Court’s Deadline and the Road to Elections

The Supreme Court of India had earlier set a clear deadline of September 30, 2024, for the conduct of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. This decision has put the onus on the ECI to expedite the electoral process in the region, which has witnessed significant political and administrative changes over the past few years. The ECI’s visit to the Union Territory comes just weeks before this crucial deadline, indicating a robust and determined approach to ensuring that the elections are held within the stipulated time frame.

In March 2024, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar was the sole member of the three-member Commission to visit Jammu and Kashmir. During this visit, he had assured both political parties and the general populace that the ECI was fully committed to holding the elections as soon as possible. His words resonated with the hopes and aspirations of the people, who have been eagerly waiting for the resumption of the democratic process in the Union Territory.

As part of its visit, the ECI undertook a thorough review of the poll preparedness across Jammu and Kashmir. This review included meetings with key stakeholders, including the Chief Electoral Officer, Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police, to assess the ground reality and discuss strategies to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process. The ECI’s focus on both administrative and security arrangements is crucial in a region where peace and stability are paramount to the success of any electoral process.

The review process also involved extensive deliberations with key political parties, including the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party, Jammu and Kashmir Awaami league. These parties are the primary stakeholders in the upcoming elections, and their cooperation and active participation are essential for the successful conduct of the polls. Much recently, Jamaat-E-Islami, a separatist led organization which was known was boycotting elections has also shown it’s interest in contesting polls this time around. The ECI’s engagement with these parties reflects its commitment to an inclusive and participatory electoral process.

The Role of Security in the Electoral Process

Lok Sabha elections saw a smooth and peacful election process in Jammu and Kashmir without any volunatarily invovlement of army in trying to get people out of their homes to vote. This was a refreshing change observed by political pandits in seeing direct engagement of people at various poll booths. Yet, Security remains a critical concern in Jammu and Kashmir, a region that has experienced periods of unrest and instability. The ECI’s discussions with the Superintendents of Police and other security agencies underline the importance of creating a secure environment for the elections. The deployment of security forces, the establishment of secure polling stations, and the implementation of robust security measures are all vital components of the ECI’s strategy to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully and without incident.

The ECI’s focus on security is also a reflection of its understanding of the unique challenges that the region poses. The Commission’s approach is not just about holding elections; it is about ensuring that these elections are free, fair, and conducted in an environment where every voter feels safe to exercise their democratic rights.

The Road Ahead: Restoration of Statehood

With the visit of Minister of State Ramdash Athawale, it is confirmed that Statehood is set to be restored soon in Jammu and Kashmir. As per his statements, it is believed that announcement of restoration of statehood, as well as conduct of assembly elections could take place around the same time.

As the September 30, 2024, deadline approaches, the focus will increasingly shift towards the final stages of poll preparations in Jammu and Kashmir. The ECI’s visit and the comprehensive review of the electoral process indicate that the Commission is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to ensure that the elections are held on time and in a manner that reflects the democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The political parties in Jammu Kashmir has already begun their campaigning with PDP cheif Mehbooba mufti seeking restoration of crossborder trade across Line of control with Pakistan controlled Jammu Kashmir vis a vis URI- Muzzaffarabad. The National conference MP has stoked emotions of people in parliament for saving open merit quote in parliament, BJP is confident for his performance of making the bureauractic system more efficient and having solid centre policies which have benfitted the common people and the marginalised communities.

The 2024 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir is in full swing. The ECI’s dedicated efforts to ensure a transparent, secure, and fair electoral process are commendable and reflect the importance of these elections not just for the region but for the entire nation. As the elections draw closer, the eyes of the nation will be on Jammu and Kashmir, watching as the region takes a significant step towards a more secure democratic future.

The upcoming elections represent a significant moment for Jammu and Kashmir. They are not just about choosing representatives; they are about reaffirming the commitment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in restoring the statehood of the region. The successful conduct of these elections will be a testament to the resilience of the people and their unwavering belief in the power of democracy.