| SIR exercise likely to delay Panchayats, ULBs polls in J&K | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 21: Elections to Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Jammu and Kashmir are likely to be further delayed as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to undertake a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Union Territory, along with several other states and UTs.
The ECI is planning to launch the SIR exercise in Jammu and Kashmir in April or May, once the harsh winter recedes. The revision process aims to comprehensively update voter lists and eliminate discrepancies to ensure error-free electoral rolls.
According to official sources, the Commission has written to the Chief Electoral Officers of 17 states and five Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, directing them to complete all preparatory work related to the SIR at the earliest. The communication states that the exercise is expected to commence in April 2026 and that logistical and administrative arrangements should be put in place in advance.
The SIR process was first initiated in Bihar last year. In April 2026, the exercise is scheduled to be carried out in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, The ECI is planning to launch the SIR exercise in Jammu and Kashmir in April or May.
The revision process aims to comprehensively update voter lists and eliminate discrepancies to ensure error-free electoral rolls.
The Commission has written to the Chief Electoral Officers of 17 states and five UTs to complete all preparatory work related to the SIR at the earliest.
Under the Special Intensive Revision, all registered electors will be required to fill out fresh enumeration forms to reconfirm their eligibility.
The tenure of Municipal bodies in Jammu and Kashmir ended in November 2023, while that of Panchayats concluded in January 2024. The term of the existing District Development Councils (DDCs) is set to expire on February 24, and the process for fresh elections is expected to begin thereafter.
Elections to local bodies had earlier been deferred due to security considerations and the pending implementation of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Municipal bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions. The vacancy in the office of the State Election Commissioner had also contributed to the delay. |
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