CEO PK Pole Sets in Motion the Revision of Electoral Rolls for Urban Local Bodies Elections
28-07-2023 : In a significant move aimed at strengthening democratic governance, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, PK Pole, has formally initiated the process for conducting the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections in the Union Territory. The CEO has issued a crucial notification to revise and update the Municipal Electoral Rolls for all bodies, with the process commencing on August 1 and culminating in the publication of final rolls on August 25.
With the last elections to Municipal Corporations, Councils, and Committees held in 2018, the terms of these bodies are set to expire in November 2023. As a result, it has been deemed necessary to undertake the revision and updating of the Municipal electoral rolls to prepare for the forthcoming elections.
In an exclusive interview with Excelsior, CEO PK Pole disclosed that separate notifications have been issued today for the revision and updating of electoral rolls for Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations and 75 other bodies, including Councils and Committees. Stressing the importance of the revision process, Pole stated, “The electoral rolls have to be revised in a prescribed manner before the conduct of each general election to the Corporations or for any Ward or for a by-election to fill a casual vacancy in such Wards.”
Under the ambit of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporations and Municipal Acts, the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls, delimitation of Wards, reservation and allotment of seats, and the conduct of all elections to the Corporations and Municipal Committees are vested in the CEO.
The electoral schedule outlined by the CEO includes the publication of draft electoral rolls on August 1, followed by a period for filing claims and objections from August 1 to August 11. Additionally, special camps at the Polling Stations will be organized on August 6 and 10 to facilitate the process. The disposal of claims and objections will be concluded by August 16, and the final electoral rolls will be published on August 25.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the CEO’s orders stipulate that an abstract of the claims and objections received by the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will be uploaded daily on the CEO’s website and the websites of the respective Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts. Furthermore, all orders on claims and objections must be promptly displayed on the notice board of the ERO, enabling citizens to access relevant information throughout the process.
The CEO has also appointed Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant EROs to oversee and manage the electoral roll revision process efficiently.
It is noteworthy that the term of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is set to expire on November 5, while the term of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) will conclude on November 14. Similarly, the terms of other Municipal bodies, including Councils and Committees in the Union Territory, will end between October and November. Notably, the term of the Panchayats is scheduled to end on January 9, 2024.
Given these timelines, sources indicate that the elections to Urban Local Bodies need to be completed before the end of October, with Panchayat elections scheduled for October-November this year.
The CEO’s initiation of the process for Municipal elections holds immense significance for the democratic fabric of Jammu and Kashmir. As the region gears up for the electoral exercise, citizens and stakeholders await the outcome, which will shape the political landscape and governance at the grassroots level.
