Srinagar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a special summary revision of electoral rolls for union territories in preparation for the upcoming state assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
This is the fourth revision of the photo electoral roll in the last two years in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been without an elected government since the BJP ended its coalition with the PDP in June 2018, forcing the resignation of PDP-BJP coalition leader Mehbooba Mufti as chief minister.
The latest changes are also needed in three other states that are due to hold elections this year.
A statement from the Commission to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir: “Elections to the Legislative Assembly of your state are scheduled for later this year. Under Section 21(2) of the Representation of People Act, 1950, the electoral roll must be revised with reference to the date of qualification before the general elections to the Legislative Assembly of each state.”
“In order to maximise the registration of all voters who will turn 18 by July 1, 2024 and to improve the accuracy of the electoral roll, the Commission has decided to carry out the second abridged revision of the photo electoral roll with July 1, 2024 as the eligibility date for your state.”
The letter was also sent to the chief ministers of Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand, which are due to go to polls this year. The amendment process will begin on July 25 and end on August 20, with pre-amendment activities scheduled to take place from June 25 to July 24.
Notably, last year, the Supreme Court had directed the ECI to conduct state assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Srinagar, confirmed that preparations for the state assembly elections have begun.
“The day is not far when your votes will elect a new government for Jammu and Kashmir and the state will once again build a better future as a state,” he said while addressing the ‘Youth Empowerment, Transform Jammu and Kashmir’ event at SKICC on Thursday.
Published June 21, 2024 17:06 IST
