Poll Bugle

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finally announced the first legislative assembly election in J&K since the region was stripped of its special status under Article 370 and divided into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The ECI has scheduled the three-phased polling process for 90 constituencies, with elections set for September 18, 25 and October 1. Of these constituencies, 43 are in Jammu and 47 in Kashmir. While making the announcement last week, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had stated that the Maharashtra Assembly elections will be postponed due to the heightened security requirements for the legislative assembly elections in J&K. Given the unique security challenges and the scale of preparations necessary for conducting elections in Jammu and Kashmir, resources such as security personnel are being redirected to ensure a smooth and safe electoral process in the Union Territory. Additionally, detailed instructions have been issued to the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that all polling stations are accessible and equipped with essential facilities. Each polling station must be located on the ground floor, with accessible roads leading to the building. Basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, waiting areas, adequate lighting, and ramps with proper gradients for persons with disabilities (PwDs) are also mandatory. The ECI has emphasized the importance of permanent infrastructure, such as permanent ramps, to ensure long-term accessibility at every polling station. A significant focus of the election is facilitating voting for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. In recognition of the unique needs of these groups, the ECI has mandated that all polling stations in Jammu and Kashmir be equipped with ramps and wheelchair access. Election officials are tasked with identifying all PwDs and senior citizens within each assembly constituency, ensuring they are tagged to their respective polling stations and receive any necessary disability-specific support. Volunteers will assist these voters on election day to create a smooth and comfortable voting experience. Political parties across the Union Territory have welcomed the ECI’s decision to hold the assembly elections and have already begun organizing meetings and formulating strategies in preparation for the polls. This election will be crucial for the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly following the successful 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The ECI was lauded for its efficient and transparent handling of that national election, which saw polling spread across seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes confirmed that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner, largely attributed to the ECI’s efforts to maintain strict security and ensure voters could exercise their rights without fear. The voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir during the Lok Sabha elections was remarkable, reaching 58.58%, the highest in the last 35 years. The Kashmir valley, in particular, recorded a turnout of 51.05%, marking a substantial increase of over 30 percentage points from previous elections. This strong democratic participation is expected to continue in the upcoming assembly elections.