Last Updated:
Field officers involved in electoral planning have been redirected to assist in law-and-order duties and security coordination, specially in sensitive areas like Anantnag, Pulwama
Security personnel keep vigil, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in Srinagar. (Image: PTI/S Irfan)
The upcoming panchayat election in Jammu and Kashmir is now likely to face uncertainty following the Pahalgam attack. The administrative machinery in J&K had just begun preparing for grassroots-level elections through the processes of delimitation and seat reservation when the Pahalgam tragedy disrupted momentum.
While the State Election Commission was close to announcing the schedule for panchayat elections, the sudden escalation of violence has now cast uncertainty over the timeline.
In recent weeks, Jammu and Kashmir had entered the initial stages of preparing for panchayat elections, with officials initiating delimitation and the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The State Election Commission had begun coordination with district-level authorities, and logistical groundwork was progressing steadily.
However, the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam has altered the immediate focus of the administration. Security agencies and local officials are now primarily engaged in restoring order and assessing potential vulnerabilities across districts, especially in the southern parts of the Valley.
Sources within the administration suggest that preparations for the elections have not been called off but are currently on hold. Field officers who were involved in electoral planning have been redirected to assist in law-and-order duties and security coordination, particularly in sensitive areas like Anantnag, Pulwama, and Kulgam.
Though there has been no official announcement about a delay, the situation on the ground indicates that holding panchayat elections in the near future may not be feasible. Given the heightened security concerns and the psychological impact of the attack, officials are likely to reassess deployment plans, voter outreach strategies, and safety protocols before moving forward.
“We also have some concerns about a potential voter disengagement in the current situation. Past elections have seen low turnout in certain parts of the Valley due to fear and intimidation. In such a scenario, ensuring credible and inclusive participation seems difficult unless the security situation improves significantly following which the administration will re-initiate the confidence building measures,” the source added.
- Location :
Jammu and Kashmir, India, India