New Delhi: In a statement made to the Supreme Court on Thursday, the Central government conveyed its preparedness to conduct elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at any forthcoming juncture. The final determination, however, rests with the Election Commission of India and the State Election Commission.
The court is currently in the process of deliberating a series of petitions that challenge the abrogation of Article 370. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre, addressed a five-judge Constitution bench presided over by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. Mehta detailed that the ongoing endeavor of updating the voters’ roster in Jammu and Kashmir is in progress and is expected to conclude within approximately one month.
“Central government is ready for elections any time now,” the Solicitor General told the Constitution bench hearing pleas against abrogation of Article 370. “To date, updating of voters list was going on, which is substantially over. Some part is remaining that the Election Commission is doing,” SG told the bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant.
The Solicitor General further said that the State Election Commission and the Election Commission of India will take a call together on the time for elections. He explained that three-tier elections are to be held. For the first time, the three-tier Panchayat Raj system is introduced, SG told the bench. First, elections would be for Panchayats. Legislative elections in Jammu and Kashmir are likely to be held after Panchayat polls, and municipal polls, said the government.
The Centre also said that it is unable to give a specific timeline for restoring the Statehood status of Jammu and Kashmir but clarified that Union Territory status is temporary.
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