First Polls Since Article 370 Abrogation set for September-October

||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh August 16,2024 ||

DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the upcoming General Elections for the Legislative Assemblies of Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, scheduled for 2024. The ECI is dedicated to ensuring that these elections are conducted in a manner that is free, fair, participative, accessible, inclusive, and secure. The elections will be governed under the authority conferred by Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution of India and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Jammu & Kashmir: The Assembly, which is being elected for the first time as a Union Territory (UT) post the abrogation of Article 370, also consists of 90 seats. Of these, 7 are reserved for SCs and 9 for STs.

Preparations and Law & Order:

The ECI has conducted multiple visits to both Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir to assess the poll preparedness. During these visits, the Commission engaged with political parties, enforcement agencies, District Election Officers, senior police officials, and other key stakeholders to review the election preparedness. Additionally, a team of senior ECI officers visited the regions to evaluate the law and order situation, especially in Jammu & Kashmir, which has seen significant changes in its political landscape following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the state into a Union Territory.

The Commission has also held discussions with the Home Secretary and other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to determine the required deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and State Police Forces. This deployment is essential to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election process, particularly in vulnerable areas and pockets.

Special Provisions for Kashmiri Migrants:

The ECI has continued its efforts to facilitate voting for Kashmiri migrant electors who were displaced from their native regions during the late 1980s and early 1990s due to terrorist activities. In continuation of the scheme introduced in 1996, migrant electors from Jammu & Kashmir will be able to cast their votes through postal ballots or at Special Polling Stations set up in Delhi, Udhampur, and Jammu. Notably, the process for filling Form-M, required for voting in person at these stations, has been simplified to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.

Election Phases:

The elections in Jammu & Kashmir will be conducted in three phases:

1. First Phase (18th September): Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Ramban, Kishtwar, and Doda.

2.Second Phase (25th September): Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Poonch, Reasi, and Rajouri.

3.Third Phase (1st October): Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Udhampur, Jammu, Samba, and Kathua.

These multi-phase elections are designed to ensure security and effective management, particularly in regions with complex law and order scenarios. The Commission has emphasized the importance of cooperation from all authorities to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly under its superintendence, direction, and control.

The ECI is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations to conduct these significant elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir. The focus is on ensuring that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote in a safe and secure environment, reflecting the true spirit of democracy in India.