The Panchayat and municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to be held before the end of 2024

The Panchayat and municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to be held before the end of 2024, likely by December. These elections follow the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the region. Security forces, initially deployed for the Amarnath Yatra and other elections, will remain stationed in J&K until the completion of the local body elections to ensure a peaceful and smooth process.The delay in these polls, especially for the municipal corporations in Jammu and Srinagar, is due to the expiration of their terms in November 2023. Holding these elections is crucial for completing the democratic process at the grassroots level in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370. The Panchayat polls will be particularly significant, as they will be conducted after a fresh delimitation of ‘Halqas’ (revenue villages), with about 30,000 panches and sarpanches having completed their terms earlier this year.