Government is ready for elections in Jammu and Kashmir, says it can happen anytime
The Centre informs the Supreme Court about the potential for Jammu and Kashmir elections while underlining the Election Commission's role. The hearing discussed the election stages and restoration of statehood amidst challenges to Article 370 revocation.
Srinagar: The Centre informed the Supreme Court today that elections in Jammu and Kashmir could take place anytime, but the final decision rests with the Election Commission and the state's election panel.
A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was informed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the process for Jammu and Kashmir's elections would occur in three stages: first, panchayat polls; then municipal polls; and finally, legislative assembly polls.
These statements emerged during the hearing of a group of petitions challenging the revocation of Article 370. The Centre had previously argued that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was unique, necessitating its division.
In the previous hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had stressed the importance of reinstating democracy in J&K, which has lacked an elected government since June 2018.
However, during today's proceedings, the Centre declined to specify a timeline for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
At the core of the discussions lies the question of whether the proper procedures were followed while revoking Article 370 and reorganizing the state into two union territories - J&K and Ladakh.
Leaders and petitioners from Ladakh expressed disappointment with the Solicitor General's statement that Ladakh would remain a Union Territory. Over the past two years, significant protests in Ladakh have called for regional statehood.
Following the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Centre had indicated that statehood would be reinstated at an appropriate juncture. Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated this commitment, though no specific deadline has been set for the action.
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