The Election Commission of India (ECI) is gearing up for an important visit to Jammu and Kashmir next week. The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu, will be conducting an assessment of the region's readiness for the upcoming elections during their visit from August 8 to 10. The primary focus of their visit is to interact with local administrative authorities and representatives from various political parties in Srinagar and Jammu regions.
Among the crucial events scheduled during their visit is a review meeting with enforcement agencies in Jammu on August 10. This meeting will be followed by a press conference where the Election Commission's findings will be shared with the media. Earlier this year, in March 2024, CEC Rajiv Kumar had reassured political leaders and residents of Jammu and Kashmir about the commission's commitment to conducting assembly elections in the Union Territory. This commitment was made during a previous visit by a three-member team from the commission that was assessing the situation ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections.
The recent Lok Sabha Elections in 2024 in Jammu and Kashmir exhibited a notable increase in voter turnout, indicating strong public engagement. CEC Rajiv Kumar praised the active participation, highlighting its positive impact on the upcoming Assembly elections and ensuring the flourishing of the democratic process in the Union Territory. Additionally, the upcoming visit of the Election Commission is significant as Jammu and Kashmir will complete five years as a Union Territory, having been divided into two Union Territories in 2019 coinciding with the revocation of its special status under Article 370. Since then, governance has been overseen by the Lieutenant Governor in the region.