No Local Body Polls in J&K This Year If Govt Decision Delayed Beyond August-End: SEC
Panchayat, DDC elections can be held in October-November only if Government takes decision this month; delay may push polls to March-April 2027
JAMMU, AUGUST 14 (KNC): The Jammu and Kashmir State Election Commission (SEC) has conveyed to the Government that a decision on conducting Panchayat and District Development Council (DDC) elections must be taken by the end of August if the polls are to be held this year.
According to sources cited by Daily Excelsior, any decision beyond August-end could make it difficult for the SEC to complete the mandatory preparations before winter. In such a situation, the elections may have to be deferred to March-April 2027.
The SEC has reportedly informed the Government that if the decision is taken within August, the Commission would be in a position to complete the necessary formalities and conduct the Panchayat and DDC elections in October-November 2026.
The Commission is required to undertake several preparatory exercises, including revision of electoral rolls, reservation and rotation of seats, procurement of election material and other statutory procedures. The onset of winter and snowfall from December onwards could further complicate the conduct of elections across Jammu and Kashmir.
OBC Commission Report Crucial for Reservations
A key issue in the election process is the pending decision on the recommendations of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Commission, headed by former Justice Janak Raj Kotwal.
The Commission submitted its report in February 2025, but the Government is yet to take a final decision on its implementation. The SEC has reportedly approached the Government twice seeking clarity on the matter.
The implementation of the OBC Commission recommendations is important as it would determine the reservation framework for OBCs in local body elections. The authorities can proceed with the reservation and rotation of wards only after the issue is settled.
Sources said the SEC has already completed the tendering process for several election-related materials, including ballot boxes, but further action depends on the Government formally announcing the conduct of elections.
Panchayat and DDC Polls Likely Together
The SEC is reportedly preparing to conduct the Panchayat and DDC elections simultaneously, as both institutions cover the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Municipal elections for urban local bodies would be held subsequently.
The Block Development Councils (BDCs) are indirectly elected by Panchayat members. Therefore, BDC elections can only be conducted after the new Panchayats are constituted.
J&K Without Elected Local Bodies
Jammu and Kashmir has remained without elected representatives in its local bodies for a considerable period.
The Panchayats and Block Development Councils completed their terms on January 9, 2024, while the terms of the Municipalities ended in October-November 2023. The term of the DDCs ended on February 24, 2026.
Consequently, all three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system are presently without elected representatives in the Union Territory.
The SEC had earlier reviewed preparations for the Panchayat and DDC elections. The voter revision exercise for Panchayats has reportedly taken the electoral rolls to around 72.24 lakh electors, with more than 3.39 lakh new voters added.
The latest communication from the SEC has placed the August-end deadline at the centre of the Government’s decision-making process. If the required decision is taken within this month, the Commission is expected to move ahead with preparations for October-November 2026 polls. Any further delay, however, could push the entire electoral exercise to March-April 2027.(KNC)
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