AJKPC pushes for timely panchayat elections to strengthen local governance in J&K

All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference(AJKPC) has asked the government and State Election Commission to hold panchayat elections within 90 days or face repercussions. The organisation has also demanded that swift action be taken for ensuring representation for the rural population, fostering development and strengthening democratic values in the region.

Criticising the Lieutenant Governor and the state poll body for delaying the elections, Anil Sharma, the president of the AJKPC, said the term of the Panchayat Halquas in J&K ended on January 9, 2024 and the J&K government appointed block development officers as administrators of the panchayat.

“For over a year now, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have been defunct, and there seems to be no sincere effort by the government to hold these elections. Even the State Election Commission appears to be silent on the matter,” Sharma said.

While demanding elections, Sharma highlighted that several panchayats have raised demands for delimitation of Halqas and mobilization of voters from one panchayat to another. “However, neither the poll panel nor the government has taken any action to solve the issue,” he said .

Sharma cautioned the J&K government and poll bodies against further delay. “AJKPC is setting 90 days deadline to hold Panchayat elections with delimitation, after that a mass agitation would be launched for formation of new PRIs”.  He argued that prolonged delay in the panchayat election has not only hindered growth but also left rural population with no representation to voice their concerns.

The AJKPC has decided to create a dialogue with key stakeholders. He said teams from the AJKPC will be sent to meet the Lieutenant Governor, the chief minister and the State Election Commissioner to press for immediate action.