Srinagar: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that preparations for the elections in Jammu and Kashmir had started, the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered a special summary revision of the electoral rolls in the Union Territory on Friday.
The ECI has ordered the special summary revision in Jammu & Kashmir and three other states—Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand—scheduled to go for polls later this year.
“It is to state that the election to the legislative assembly in your state is due to be held later this year, and Section 21(2) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1950, provides that the electoral shall be revised with reference to the qualifying date before each general election to the Legislative Assembly of a state.
Accordingly, to maximise the registration of all eligible citizens who are attaining the age of 18 years on or before July 1, 2024, and with the purpose of improving the health of the electoral roll, the Commission has decided to carry out a second summary revision of photo electoral rolls w.r.t. July 1, 2024, as the qualifying date in your state,” reads the communiqué sent to J&K chief electoral officer by the ECI.
Similar letters have also been sent to the CEOs of Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand, where polls are scheduled later this year.
The revision exercise would start on July 25 and culminate on August 20, the letter reveals.
Before the revision exercise, the poll body would carry out pre-revision activities in J&K and three states from June 25 to July 24.
Pertinently, the Supreme Court had last year directed the Election Commission of India to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K’ event in Srinagar at SKICC on Thursday, said that preparations have begun for assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Modi said the people of Jammu and Kashmir would elect their representatives at the local level, and through them, they would find ways to solve problems.
“What can be better than the people of Jammu and Kashmir selecting their representative and tackling their problems through them. That is why preparations for the assembly elections have started. The day is not far when you will select the new government of Jammu and Kashmir with your vote. The day will come soon when Jammu and Kashmir will shape its future as a state once again,” the Prime Minister said.
