Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to be held in March-April next year after the publication of the final electoral rolls on November 25. This was stated by BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir general secretary Ashok Koul on Wednesday in Bandipora in north Kashmir.
Koul was in Bandipora to review the ongoing Seva Pakhwada program in the district. He told reporters he said that January and February are not suitable for elections in J&K due to weather conditions and that elections will be conducted in March-April next year.
He said the voter list will be out after the publication of the final electoral roll. The Election Commission will then start the preparation for the holding of the elections in J&K. Jammu and Kashmir has been under direct central rule since the collapse of the BJP-PDP coalition in June 2018.
On August 5, 2019, the BJP revoked Article 370 and split Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh. Ever since the regional political parties have been demanding the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Five political parties including NC, PDP, CPI(M), JK Awami National Conference and Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement have formed an alliance-- People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PADG) to fight for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Recently, the chief electoral officer of Jammu and Kashmir said 25 lakh non-locals living ordinarily in the former state will be included in the voting list. The statement evoked sharp reactions from regional parties from Jammu and Kashmir and the Congress calling the development a ploy by the BJP to strengthen its chances of winning the elections.
