New Delhi: The Centre will take a final call on elections in Jammu and Kashmir after the Delimitation Commission submits its final report by April-end, NDTV reported on Tuesday.
Quoting sources it said that the decision on polls will be taken after the Centre reviews all aspects, including security.
“The report will be submitted to Ministry of Law and Justice as they had notified the Commission. And after which a summary revision of Electoral Rolls will be taken up by the Election Commission,” said a senior government official.
According to him, after the next three four months, draft rolls will be published and verification done door to door. “After all this process, it seems the government might call an all-party meeting and take their opinion,” he added.
The Commission has proposed six new constituencies in the Jammu region — to be carved out of Udhampur, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Samba and Kishtwar districts.
This would take the strength of the Jammu region to 43, up from the existing 37 in the J&K assembly. One new seat has been proposed for Kashmir, which will be carved out in the Kupwara district, taking the Valley’s existing tally of 46 seats in the legislature to 47.
Headed by Retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and comprising Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and State Election Commissioner KK Sharma, the Commission was established on March 6, 2020, with a one-year term which was extended by another year. While the term was due to expire on March 6, 2022, it was granted two months’ extension.