ECI officially begins process for holding Assembly election in J&K
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially begun the process of organizing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The commission has decided to accept applications seeking allotment of common symbol under Para 10B of election symbols (Reservation & Allotment) order 1968 for the General Election to the legislative Assembly of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect,” said Jaydeb Lahiri, Secretary of the ECI, through a Press note.
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This follows Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar’s announcement that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would soon have a democratically elected administration in the union territory.
The last Assembly election was held in 2014
The previous Assembly election was held here in 2014, when a coalition government of the BJP and the PDP led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took power.
After Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed died in 2016, the coalition was led by his daughter, Mehbooba Mufti.
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On June 18, 2019, the BJP withdrew from the coalition government, prompting Mehbooba Mufti’s resignation as Chief Minister. Governor’s Rule was enforced in Jammu and Kashmir, followed by President’s Rule.
J&K was reduced to the status of a Union Territory on August 5, 2019, when Articles 370 and 35A were repealed. Since then, the Lieutenant Governor has presided over the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
What is Election Commission of India?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body established by the Indian Constitution to ensure free and fair elections in India. The Election Commission is led by a Chief Election Commissioner and includes two other Election Commissioners.
