Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 20: The much awaited assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are unlikely to be held in 2024, a Srinagar based news agency reported on Saturday.
Quoting sources the agency said that there are bleak chances of assembly elections being held in Jammu and Kashmir in 2024. They said the polls may likely be deferred to next year owing to upcoming Parliamentary elections and subsequent annual Amarnath Yatra, which usually remains in place for two months.
“The authorities have a tight schedule this year. There is no question of holding Parliamentary and Assembly polls together as it requires ample manpower and time to make its joint conduct in a smooth manner,” they added.
“If Parliamentary elections are held in mid 2024, the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) polls may take place likely in September this year, when the annual Amar Polls may likely be deferred to next year.
No question of holding Parliamentary and Assembly polls together.
Panchayat, BDC and DDC polls may be held in Oct, Nov 2024.
They said the authorities may likely think over the conduct of Panchayat, BDC and DDC polls afterwards which may be held in between October and November 2024.
They said that Parliamentary election is the priority of the Central Government and the process can’t be hampered by holding some other election along with these polls.
Notably regional and national mainstream political parties have accelerated its public outreach programs across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Parliamentary polls, which are likely to be held in April - May this year, while local political parties are making people believe that Assembly elections will also take place this year.
In December last year a five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by CJI DY Chandruchud had directed ECI to hold assembly elections in J&K before September 30, 2024. | 