The Central government conveyed to the Supreme Court on Thursday its preparedness to hold elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with the timeline hinging on decisions from both the Election Commission of India and the State Election Commission.
During a session addressing a series of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud that the process of updating the voters’ list in Jammu and Kashmir is currently underway, estimating approximately a month’s time for its completion.
“The Central government is ready for elections any time now,” asserted the Solicitor General before the Constitution bench, which is reviewing pleas related to the annulment of Article 370. Mehta added, “The updating of the voters’ list was in progress, with substantial completion achieved. The Election Commission is overseeing the remaining part.”
Emphasizing the collaborative nature of the decision-making process, Mehta stated that both the State Election Commission and the Election Commission of India would jointly determine the timing of the elections. He highlighted the introduction of a three-tier Panchayat Raj system, indicating that the elections would proceed in phases. The initial stage would involve Panchayat elections, followed by legislative elections in Jammu and Kashmir, likely to occur subsequent to Panchayat and municipal polls, as per the government’s plan.
While the Centre clarified its inability to provide a precise timeline for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood status, it affirmed the temporary nature of the Union Territory status. “I am unable to give an exact time period for complete Statehood while saying Union Territory status is temporary,” Mehta iterated. Responding to the court’s previous inquiry regarding a specific timeline for Statehood and elections, Mehta assured that strides were being taken to facilitate the transition from Union Territory to a full-fledged State.
In the courtroom, the Solicitor General highlighted several developmental steps undertaken by the Central government. He cited notable reductions in instances of terrorism (45.2%), infiltration (90%), and law and order issues such as stone-pelting (97%). Mehta also emphasized the decline in security personnel casualties by 65% and the transformation of youth employment, which he stated had shifted from misguided activities to gainful employment.
While Mehta provided an overview of improvements, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing one of the petitioners against Article 370’s abrogation, countered by raising concerns about restrictions imposed in the region. He noted the presence of house arrests and the imposition of Section 144, coupled with internet shutdowns and restricted access to medical facilities.
In response to these concerns, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud clarified the focus of the court’s deliberations, indicating that it would primarily address the legality of Article 370’s abrogation on constitutional grounds, with election-related and Statehood matters considered separately.
The proceedings follow the Central government’s prior statement on August 5, 2019, regarding the annulment of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, leading to the division of the region into two Union Territories.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
