The Election Comission of India ( ECI) has issued notifications for the conduction of elections in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The voting for first phase would begin on 18th September, 2024 and second phase polling would take place on 25th September. The third and last phase of elections would take place on 1st October 2024 making it effectively one of the shortest span cycle of elections in Jammu and Kashmir in many decades.
We assume the political parties will start the campaign right from today without wasting time. The major political parties were sure that the elections were round the corner and one assumes that the preparations had already begun to this end. The Bharatiya Janata Party( BJP), Indian National Congress ( INC), National Conference, People’s Democratic Party ( PDP), People’s Conference ( PC) and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party ( JKAPNI) are believed to be the major players in the upcoming elections. The political parties will have to rummage through their core party line and stand to assiduosly knit together a manifesto for the elections as there is not much time. It would be a fiercely contested election as it is happening after a long time. And possibly very colourful too as it is happening during the season of autumn which is a harvest season of Kashmir. It is a season of marriages and festivity. Elections campaign would add colour to this season this time round.
As the foliage on the trees turns golden yellow and weather turns slightly colder we would be thrilled to watch the main political parties entangled in a hot contest. They will try their level best to woo the electoral base towards their party. This is the beauty of elections when in the privacy of voting booth the citizens hold the most important key of governance close to their chest.
We must appreciate the role played by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in bringing things back to normal. Newer and newer records are being made in as far as tourism footfall is concerned. The Amarnath yatra was conducted smoothly. There was not a single negative feedback from any yatri. This is a huge success for any administration.
We welcome this decision to hold elections in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. We hope these elections improve the governance both in the Kashmir valley as well as in Jammu region.
