All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference(AJKPC), a registered organization working for strengthening grass the root level democratic institutions in J & K has asked the J & K government and State Elections Commission to hold Panchayat elections within 90 days or get ready to face agitation.
Anil Sharma, President of AJKPC, criticized the Lieutenant Governor-led government and the State Election Commission for delaying the elections. He informed that the term of the Panchayat Halqas in J&K expired on January 9, 2024, and the J&K government, through SO No. 16 dated January 10, 2024, appointed Block Development Officers as administrators of the Panchayats.
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 said.
He further highlighted that several Panchayats have raised demands for the delimitation of Halqas and the mobilization of voters from one Panchayat to another. However, neither the poll panel nor the government has initiated this process.
Cautioning the J & K government and Poll body, Sharma said “ AJKPC setting 90 days deadline to hold Panchayat Elections with delimitation, after that a mass agitation would be launched for formation of new PRIs”.
To push forward its agenda, AJKPC has also decided to escalate the matter through dialogue with key stakeholders. Sharma revealed that delegations of AJKPC functionaries would soon be meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and the State Election Commissioner to press for immediate action.
AJKPC’s press note also states that the issue is urgent because Panchayats play a vital role in local governance.
Their prolonged inactivity has hindered development and left rural residents without proper representation or an avenue to voice their concerns. The note emphasizes that holding elections on time and redefining boundaries is essential to reviving democracy and improving governance in the region.
