The Election Commission of India is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir to assess the situation for the conduction of Assembly polls. Jammu and Kashmir is without its elected Assembly since 2018 after BJP withdrew its support to PDP government led by Mehbooba Mufti.
Since then, there have been massive constitutional changes and the state was downgraded to two Union Territories Ladakh and Jammu Kashmir followed by the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.
The local political parties have been demanding the elections in the UT since then, however for various reasons including the fresh delimitation by the Union government, polls were deferred.
However, all the issues that were put forth by the centre over the last five years have been fulfilled and now it is increasingly becoming difficult for the Narendra Modi government to delay assembly elections in the UT.
Recently the ECI said that on the culmination of enrolment, it will begin the process of elections in UT. That also seems completed. Now the question arises what prompts ECI to defer polls in Jammu and Kashmir and deny the people their legitimate right to have an elected government.
Few days ago, the Election Commission again said that the elections are delayed since there is a vacuum on the ground. However, it is yet to be ascertained what it actually meant.
The political parties strongly reacted to the statement of ECI and said that it proves the claims of the central government regarding the peace and security in Jammu Kashmir are false.
Jammu Kashmir National Conference said that the deferring of elections in the UT reflects that not only are the claims of BJP false but lacks courage to face the people for its anti-people policies. Now the ECI is visiting Jammu Kashmir in mid-April if news reports are to be believed.
Let’s hope with the advent of spring in Jammu Kashmir, there is a hope for electoral spring in the UT. The situation undeniably has improved a lot and the militancy is at an all-time low. There are no shutdowns, no protests and the neighbouring country is also engaged deeply in its domestic crisis.
So, this is high time to hold the elections in Jammu and Kashmir and provide people with their own elected government. Let democracy thrive.
