Panchayat elections in J&K after culmination of Amarnath yatra

SEC fully prepared as all ground work done    

Arvind Sharma

Jammu Tawi, July 08: It is now almost official that the much awaited Panchayat elections in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) will be held any time after the culmination of the ongoing holy Shri Amarnath Yatra as the entire ground work for holding these elections has been completed by the State Election Commission (SEC).

The requisite number of EVMs are available with the State Election Commission (SEC), the electoral rolls have been updated and their final publication has also been made public in respect of Panchayat elections in J&K.

“We are fully prepared for holding the Panchayat elections in J&K UT and the preparations from our side are fully in place and it is now upto the government to just announce the dates for holding the panchayat elections in J&K,” sources said.

“The Panchayat elections in J&K could be held anytime after the culmination of the holy Shri Amarnath Yatra and the SEC is fully prepared for these elections as all the ground work has been completed for holding these elections,” the State Election Commissioner, Shantmanu, informed the Northlines.

It may be mentioned that the number of voters for the Panchayat elections in J&K has increased to more than 3%, which is far-2 more than the voters who participated in the previous panchayat elections in J&K.

The final electoral rolls were published on May 21, 2026, thus paving the way for holding the Panchayat elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The revision drive recorded significant voter activity. A total of 3,39,384 new voters were added to the rolls, while 1,13,344 names were deleted due to death, shifting, duplication, and other admissible reasons.

Corrections were carried out in the particulars of 17,664 voters, and 31,590 voters were transposed.

The final roll now stands at 72,24,131 electors, which includes 36,62,502 male, 35,61,488 female, and 141 third-gender voters.

This marks a net increase of 2,26,040 voters compared to the previous revision concluded in January 2025, when the rolls listed 69,98,091 voters with January 1, 2025, as the qualifying date.

The Commission said the exercise witnessed substantial participation from eligible citizens, with 5,10,285 forms received during the revision period.

These forms were processed by Panchayat Election Booth Officials, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, and Electoral Registration Officers in accordance with prescribed procedures and timelines.

The Panchayat elections in the Union Territory of J&K will be held this year under unprecedented security and on non-party basis and no one, participating in the elections, will be allowed to use party symbol, said State Election Commissioner (SEC), Shantamnu.

It may be mentioned that the State Election Commission (SEC) has  more than forty thousand (40,000) ballot boxes readily available for holding the panchayat elections in a fair and transparent manner in J&K.