Why This Jammu and Kashmir Election Is Unlike Any Other Poll?

The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on Friday. Voters across constituencies will head to the polls in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with the results set to be announced on October 4.

This election is unlike any other in the region's history, defined by several groundbreaking moments and major shifts in the political landscape.

Shortest Election in Two Decades

Jammu and Kashmir is preparing for its shortest election in over two decades, it will be held in just three phases. This is a significant change from the region's past elections, which were spread across four to seven phases due to the security concerns in the sensitive region.

Notably, the 2002 election was held over four phases, while the 2008 polls spanned seven phases in November and December, and the 2014 election took place in five phases. The streamlined schedule for this election reflects both changes in the region's security situation and efforts to conduct the election efficiently.

First Election in 10 Years

This will be the first assembly election in a decade. The last time voters in Jammu and Kashmir went to the polls was in 2014 in five phases. The elections were held from November 25 to December 20, with 87 assembly seats up for grabs. The political atmosphere has since undergone a seismic shift.

First Election as a Union Territory After Scrapping Article 370

For the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, the region will hold its assembly elections as a Union Territory. In August 2019, the Indian government revoked the state's special status and split the region into two Union Territories-Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This is the first assembly election since the region lost its statehood.

This will also be the first election since the scrapping of Article 370, a constitutional provision that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The revocation of this article ended the region's autonomy, marking a new chapter in its governance. For decades, Article 370 and Article 35A were cornerstones of the region's identity, and the upcoming election will be a test of the public's response to the change.

First Election Without Ladakh

Another first for this election is the absence of Ladakh as part of Jammu and Kashmir's assembly. Ladakh, which had four assembly seats when it was part of the state, is now a separate Union Territory. For years, both Jammu and Ladakh regions voiced concerns over their exclusion from key policy-making, which had been dominated by the Kashmir Valley.
First Election Post-Delimitation

Following Jammu and Kashmir's reorganisation, the region underwent a delimitation exercise, redrawing the boundaries of its assembly constituencies. This election will be the first to reflect the results of that exercise. The newly constituted assembly will now have 90 seats, with 43 seats allocated to Jammu and 47 to Kashmir. The delimitation order was finalized in 2022, and this election will put the new structure to the test.