The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said that no specific timeline can be indicated at present for Panchayat elections, as the process remains at the preparatory stage and the authority to conduct and schedule the polls rests with the State Election Commission (SEC).
The Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department conveyed the position in the Legislative Assembly in response to a question by MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir. The department said the terms of Halqa Panchayats and Block Development Councils (BDCs) expired on January 9, 2024, while the terms of District Development Councils (DDCs) ended in February 2026.
The SEC issued an order on March 25, 2026, initiating revision of Panchayat electoral rolls and fixing April 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. Preparatory exercises related to electoral rolls, delimitation and reservation are currently underway.
The Government cited Section 36(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, stating that the preparation of electoral rolls and the superintendence, direction and control of Panchayat elections fall under the SEC. The Government said it would provide necessary administrative and logistical assistance to the Commission whenever required.
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