The much-awaited elections to Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Jammu and Kashmir are likely to be further delayed as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to undertake a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Union Territory, along with several other states and UTs.
Earlier, it was widely believed that the appointment of former IAS officer Shantmanu as State Election Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir would pave the way for holding Panchayat and UBL elections in the Union Territory.
But, the decision of the ECI to conduct the SIR exercise in J&K is likely to delay the elections, which were earlier expected to be held in the month of April or May this year.
The ECI is planning to launch the SIR exercise in Jammu and Kashmir in April or May, once the harsh winter recedes. The revision process aims to comprehensively update voter lists and eliminate discrepancies to ensure error-free electoral rolls.
According to official sources, the Commission has written to the Chief Electoral Officers of 17 states and five Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, directing them to complete all preparatory work related to the SIR at the earliest. The communication states that the exercise is expected to commence in April 2026 and that logistical and administrative arrangements should be put in place in advance.
The SIR process was first initiated in Bihar last year. In April 2026, the exercise is scheduled to be carried out in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana, and Uttarakhand.
Under the Special Intensive Revision, all registered electors will be required to fill out fresh enumeration forms to reconfirm their eligibility. Voters will need to trace their names — or those of their parents or close relatives — to an electoral roll prepared during the last intensive revision conducted around two decades ago. Those unable to establish such a linkage will have to furnish documentary proof to verify their citizenship and eligibility for inclusion in the electoral roll.
Tenure of ULBs, Panchayats ended two years ago
The tenure of municipal bodies in Jammu and Kashmir ended in November 2023, while that of the Panchayats concluded in January 2024. The term of the existing District Development Councils (DDCs) is set to expire on February 24, and the process for fresh elections is expected to begin thereafter.
Elections to local bodies had earlier been deferred due to security considerations and the pending implementation of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in municipal bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions. The vacancy in the office of the State Election Commissioner had also contributed to the delay.
Ladakh starts process for SIR exercise
Meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Officer, Ladakh, held a meeting with the District Election Officers/Deputy Commissioners of Leh and Kargil, the Electoral Registration Officer, Ladakh, and the Deputy Election Officers of Leh and Kargil in light of the recent instructions issued by the Election Commission of India regarding the preparatory exercise for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), expected to commence in April 2026.
During the meeting, detailed instructions were issued to ensure proper logistical arrangements and the formulation of a contingency plan for the smooth conduct of the SIR. The Chief Electoral Officer emphasized the need to impart training to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs). Stress was also laid on comprehensive publicity and public awareness of the ECI Net and the “Book a Call to BLO” feature for the convenience of the general public.
It was further directed that District Election Officers (DEOs), the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and BLOs should regularly engage with representatives of political parties at the district, tehsil, and polling station levels.
Subsequently, the Chief Electoral Officer, Ladakh, also held a meeting with representatives of various political parties. The meeting was attended by Gurmet Dorje, representative of the Indian National Congress; Iftiquer Ali, representative of the Bharatiya Janata Party; and Sayeed Raza, representative of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference.
The Chief Electoral Officer briefed the participants about the upcoming SIR and urged political parties to appoint BLAs at the earliest so that training could be imparted alongside BLOs. A detailed presentation was also given on the ECI Net and the “Book a Call to BLO” features, with a request to spread awareness among the public.
Political parties were encouraged to ensure maximum engagement with the offices of the CEO, DEO, ERO, AEROs, and BLOs. They were also assured that the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Ladakh, remains open to address any doubts or queries.
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