J-K assembly elections unlikely in 2024, Panchayat polls expected

SRINAGAR — The much-awaited assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are unlikely to be held in 2024, reliable sources said. Sources quoted by the news agency KNS said that there are bleak chances of conducting assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir this year.

Sources said that the assembly polls might be postponed to next year. However, Panchayat and Municipal elections are expected to take place this September, with an announcement likely following the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra.

Sources further said that while meetings were recently held in New Delhi on arrangements of polls in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand with key Ministry including the Home Minister and Defence Minister and no meetings were held regarding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

It is pertinent to mention that in his Motion of Thanks on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned assembly polls in three states but did not talk about the elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources also revealed that Jammu and Kashmir may undergo another delimitation exercise in 2026, along with the rest of the country. The process could increase the number of parliamentary and assembly constituencies from the current five Lok Sabha seats and 90 assembly seats respectively.

Notably, the Supreme Court, in its December 2023 ruling on the abrogation of Article 370 had directed the government to hold assembly elections in J&K by September 30, 2024.

Moreover, during a recent visit to Kashmir, the Prime Minister stated that preparations for elections had begun and that J&K would soon have its own government.