The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), an organization dedicated to strengthening grassroots democratic institutions, has urged the J&K government and State Election Commission to conduct Panchayat elections within 90 days or face potential protests.
Anil Sharma, President of AJKPC, criticized the Lieutenant Governor-led administration and the State Election Commission for delaying the elections. He noted that the term of the Panchayat Halqas expired on January 9, 2024, and since then, Block Development Officers have been appointed as administrators through SO No. 16 dated January 10, 2024.
“For over a year now, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have been defunct, and there seems to be no sincere effort by the government to hold these elections. Even the State Election Commission appears to be silent on the matter,” Sharma stated.
He also pointed out that several Panchayats have requested delimitation of Halqas and voter mobilization from one Panchayat to another, but neither the poll panel nor the government has taken action.
Sharma warned the J&K government and election authorities, stating, “AJKPC is setting a 90-day deadline to hold Panchayat Elections with delimitation; after that, a mass agitation would be launched for the formation of new PRIs.”
To advance their cause, AJKPC plans to engage in dialogue with key stakeholders. Sharma announced that delegations of AJKPC members would soon meet with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and the State Election Commissioner to urge immediate action.
In a press release, AJKPC emphasized the urgency of the issue, highlighting the vital role Panchayats play in local governance. Their inactivity has stalled development and left rural residents without proper representation or a platform to express their concerns. The note stresses that timely elections and boundary redefinition are crucial for reviving democracy and enhancing governance in the region.
