jj correspondent
Jammu, July 25: Stating that the term of Panchayat polls is ending this year, newly appointed State Election Commissioner (SEC), B R Sharma on Tuesday said that the elections to constitute the grass root body (Panchayat Polls) are expected to be held in November-December this year.
“The five-year term of Panchayats is ending by the end of this year, which earlier ended in 2018 and elections were held in January 2019 to restore democracy at the grass root level,” Sharma told a news channel.
He said, “we have to conduct the elections as per the schedule, which is expected to be conducted in November-December this year.”
The SEC said that his predecessors have done a lot of work and the voter list till January 2023 is ready, “if anybody has been left out or not included into the list, a special summary revision will also be conducted. Rest, all necessary arrangements are on track.”
Notably, former Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary B R Sharma took oath as the State Election Commissioner of the Union Territory on July 20. Sharma was last week appointed the State Election Commissioner as his predecessor K K Sharma completed his term on February 1.
B R Sharma will hold the position of SEC till the age of 65.A 1984-batch IAS officer hailing from Kathua district of the Jammu region, B R Sharma has served as the chief secretary of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir from 2015 to 2017.
“As this is an election year, a special summary revision is needed to mop up left out voters to be on the safer side,” he said.Sharma added that the election of other constitutional set ups including Urban Local Bodies and DDCs is also to be held as per their term coming to an end but as far as any change in schedule or dates is concerned, it is the prerogative of the government.
“Likewise previous elections, this time as well the Panchayat Polls will be conducted on a non-party basis and they will be held as per the schedule without any change,” he stated.
Sharma said that as per laid norms, anybody who attains the age of 18 years is eligible to cast a vote and as of 2019, West Pakistan Refugees, Valmikis, and Gorkhas have also been given the right to vote, as they are citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.
“All measures like security, weather conditions and administrative preparedness have been taken into consideration for smooth and successful conduct of the elections,” said the SEC adding that the Model Code of Conduct shall also be put in place before polls, and has to be religiously followed by everyone.
He also said that the seats for women will also be reserved and rotated accordingly.“We will be making all arrangements and once the final schedule is notified, I appeal to people to enthusiastically participate in the Panchayat Elections to strengthen democratic setup at the grass root level for an overall development,” said Sharma. UNI
