The Election Commission (EC) has initiated preparations for the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been without an Assembly since its dissolution in 2018.
On Friday, the EC announced its decision to start accepting applications from political parties for the use of common symbols for their candidates.
“The Commission has decided to accept applications seeking allotment of Common Symbol under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968 for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir with immediate effect,” an EC statement read.
Para 10B allows candidates from registered, unrecognised parties to be allotted a common symbol. Recognised national and state parties already have reserved common symbols, and no other party can apply for the same.
Typically, applications for common symbols begin six months before the end of an Assembly’s term. However, since J&K has been without an Assembly since its dissolution in 2018, the EC has decided to commence the process now, according to an EC source.
In addition to accepting symbol applications, the EC plans to conduct a short-term special summary revision of the electoral roll before the Assembly elections. This initial step is crucial for ensuring an updated and accurate voter list for the elections.
Last year, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to hold the J&K Assembly elections by September 30.
This decision followed the Supreme Court’s ruling which upheld the August 5, 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar recently stated that the EC would commence the process for holding the Assembly elections “very soon.”
Jammu and Kashmir recorded a significant voter turnout of 58.58% in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
In a statement on May 27, following the completion of polling in the Union Territory’s five Lok Sabha seats, the CEC noted that this was the highest voter turnout in 35 years. There was also a 23% increase in the number of candidates compared to 2019.
“This active participation is a huge positive for Assembly elections to be held soon so that the democratic process continues to thrive in the Union Territory,” the CEC remarked.
Following the division of the state into two Union Territories—J&K (with an Assembly) and Ladakh (without an Assembly) in 2019—a Delimitation Commission was established in 2020 to redraw the boundaries of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies.
The delimitation order, issued in May 2022, created a 90-member Assembly, with 47 seats in Kashmir and 43 in Jammu.
The forthcoming elections will mark the first Assembly elections for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
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