The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024, which will be held from 18 September to 1 October. The elections will be conducted in three phases, with voting scheduled for 18 September, 25 September, and 1 October, and the counting of votes set for 4 October. This marks the first Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since it was reconstituted as a Union Territory.
Election Schedule and Voter Details
The electoral process will be divided into three phases:
- Phase 1: 18 September 2024
- Phase 2: 25 September 2024
- Phase 3: 1 October 2024
The counting of votes will take place on 4 October 2024. Jammu and Kashmir will have a total of 87.09 lakh voters in this election, including 44.46 lakh male voters and 42.62 lakh female electors. Additionally, there will be 3.71 lakh first-time voters participating in these elections.
The region has 90 Assembly constituencies, with 74 being general constituencies, 7 reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Preparations and Security
The announcement followed a visit earlier this month by a delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who reviewed the preparedness of the administration and security agencies. The ECI has assured that all necessary measures are in place to conduct the elections smoothly despite any potential challenges.
The final voter list will be published on 20 August 2024, just after the conclusion of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which ends on 19 August. This timing was essential to ensure the electoral roll is up-to-date and to avoid any security concerns associated with the Yatra.
Political and Public Reactions
The ECI’s announcement has been welcomed by political parties and the public, reflecting a strong desire for the return of democratic processes. Chief Election Commissioner Kumar noted the enthusiasm among the populace and their eagerness to participate in the electoral process. He emphasised that despite any potential disruptions, the ECI is committed to ensuring a fair and orderly election.
The last Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held in November-December 2014. The Assembly was dissolved in November 2018, and following the reorganisation of the state into two Union Territories in 2019, the electoral process has now resumed. The delimitation of constituencies, which was notified in May 2022, has resulted in 43 constituencies for the Jammu region and 47 for the Kashmir region.
