Jammu and Kashmir Elections: What You Need To Know About Delimitation

Jammu and Kashmir is poised to hold its first assembly elections in six years, with the Election Commission expected to announce the dates for the newly formed union territory today.

Since its transition from a state to a union territory, Jammu and Kashmir has undergone significant changes that could influence the upcoming assembly polls, particularly through the process of delimitation.

Delimitation involves redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies to reflect changes in population and administrative divisions. After the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the need for a delimitation process became evident to reorganize constituencies within the new union territory.

**Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir**

The delimitation process was primarily undertaken to demarcate the electoral boundaries between the two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This was done in accordance with two laws: the Delimitation Act, 2002, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.

In March 2020, a three-member Delimitation Commission was established, chaired by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, with former Chief Election Commissioner of India Sushil Chandra and Jammu and Kashmir State Election Commissioner K.K. Sharma as members. The commission submitted its final report on May 5, 2022, recommending the addition of six assembly constituencies in Jammu and one in Kashmir.

Using population data from the 2011 census, the commission reorganized constituencies to better represent demographic changes. Over two years, the commission visited Jammu and Kashmir twice, engaging with public stakeholders, political representatives, and regional leaders to ensure fair and effective constituency boundaries.

**Division of Seats in Jammu and Kashmir**

Previously, Jammu and Kashmir had 87 assembly constituencies, which has now increased to 90. Of these, 47 constituencies are in the Kashmir region, and 43 are in the Jammu region. Additionally, 24 seats are reserved for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Eighteen assembly constituencies fall within each parliamentary constituency in the union territory, with nine constituencies reserved for Scheduled Tribes and seven for Scheduled Castes. Several constituencies were also renamed during this process, including Tangmarg to Gulmarg, Zoonimar to Zaidibal, Sonwar to Lal Chowk, and others.

The final delimitation order was implemented on May 20, 2022. In 2024, Jammu and Kashmir participated in the Lok Sabha elections using the newly organized parliamentary constituencies.

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that assembly polls are held in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30, 2024.

This marks Jammu and Kashmir's first assembly election as a union territory and its first opportunity to form a government after six years.