Uncertainity looms over Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir

With the Election Commission setting the date of October 31 for the revision of electoral rolls, uncertainty has loomed over Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir has loomed over Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Uncertainity has prevailed over the much-awaited elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) as the final revision of the election-related process is yet to be ascertained. However, election preparations in J&K has started to frame a new legislative assembly for the Union Territory of J&K after the abrogation of its special status and statehood.

Regional parties like the National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP) are waiting for early elections in Jammu and Kashmir. But technical reasons such as revision of electoral rolls in J&K may delay the elections.

Political analysts speculated that assembly elections in J&K would be held by the end of this year. Many reports have been flying thick and fast after Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that there is a strong possibility of conducting the election process in J&K by this year end.

The ECI has set October 31 as the date for publication of the revised electoral rolls, the officials said. Political parties are waiting for the final revision of the rolls and as soon as rolls would be published, political parties will come out to contest their claims.

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In the current session of Parliament, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, "The election process is to be conducted in J&K by the Election commission of India (ECI). With this statement, the government put the ball of holding assembly elections in J&K in ECI's court.

In June 2018, the BJP pulled out of the coalition from the PDP government and central rule started here. The J&K state legislature was dissolved in November 2018 and since then, there have been no Assembly elections held or scheduled till date.