Final rolls likely to be published on Jan 8
EC reviews preparedness virtually with top officials
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 3: The Election Commission reviewed preparedness for Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir with Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of the UT virtually from New Delhi while nearly four-month long Special Summary Revision exercise is nearing over and final electoral rolls are likely to be published on January 8.
Though final data is being compiled by the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Pole, preliminary reports indicated that there could be around 8.7 million voters eligible for exercising their right to franchise for five seats of Lok Sabha, the elections for which are scheduled to be held in April-May.
“The final list will have constituency-wise electorates for all five seats of the Parliament—two and half each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions,” official sources told the Excelsior.
This will be the third Summary Revision in Jammu and Kashmir after completion of exercise for delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in 2022.
First Summary Revision was ordered within few days after delimitation and final electoral rolls were published on November 25, 2022 with voter count standing at 83.59 lakh including 42,91,687 Male, 40,67,900 Females and 184 Third Gender. Another Voter Revision exercise was undertaken in March 2023 and rolls were published on May 27, 2023. Total electorates then stood at 85 lakh.
The third Special Summary Revision was initiated along with other States/UTs of the country from September last year and final voter lists will be published on January 8. As per the reports, number of the voters in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be around 87 lakh.
“Addition of new voters who attain the age of 18 is, however, a continuous process even after publication of final electoral rolls,” the sources said.
In its review with CEO, top officials, the Deputy Commissioners and SSPs virtually from New Delhi, the Election Commission is reported to have discussed the preparedness for Lok Sabha elections including training of staff in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), VVPATs.
The focus was, however, on training of staff in handling EVMs, VVPATs etc. Last week, the Commission had physically reviewed the poll preparedness in New Delhi.
They added that security arrangements for the Parliamentary polls are likely to be reviewed by the Election Commission specifically for Jammu and Kashmir in January-February to ensure peaceful elections to all five seats.
Paramilitary forces and police have to be utilized within the available resources for Lok Sabha elections and in view of this, five-phase polls are expected in Jammu and Kashmir with one seat each going to polls in one phase, They said.
After separation of Ladakh division, Jammu and Kashmir has been left with five Lok Sabha seats including Jammu, Udhampur, Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag-Poonch. While Jammu and Udhampur fall in Jammu division; Srinagar and Baramulla are in Kashmir division. Anantnag and Poonch Parliamentary constituency is almost equally divided in Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
BJP won Jammu and Udhampur seats for two consecutive terms in 2014 and 2019. NC presently holds three seats of Kashmir division.
Officials said a couple of more meetings are expected this month for review of preparedness for Lok Sabha elections.
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