The Supreme Court on December 11 while pronouncing the verdict on Article 370 abrogation directed Election Commission of India to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir till September 30.
It was a clear direction to ECI from the top Court of the country since Jammu and Kashmir is without elected government since last 6 years while the last time elections were held in erstwhile state in 2014.
The time period given to ECI is offering it an adequate breathing space since it is already busy with upcoming Lok Sabha elections to be held in next few months. It was anticipated that post Lok Sabha elections the Jammu and Kashmir may also have its own elected representatives.
Probably, J&K is the only state in the entire country where there is no elected government for so long. It doesn’t augur well for the world’s second largest democracy.
The three tiers grassroots representatives including Panchayat, BDC and DDC elections tenure is also coming to an end or have already expired. Post article 370 abrogation, BJP led Centre government if boasted about anything that was its major achievement of holding three tier elections in the UT.
Now alongside the assembly elections, the grassroots representatives also have completed their tenure and J&K is entirely depending on administrative setup. Even if the setup performs well still it is no alternative to democratic structures.
India has a distinguish of being the world’s soft power and it has earned its reputation for being the largest democratic state in the world after America. It has never compromised on its principles of democracy.
So let the direction of the Supreme Court be followed in letter and spirit and elections held on time. It would not only carry a message to elements who try to sabotage the electoral democracy but will also restore the faith of people in democratic setup.
