JAMMU, A recent notification from the Election Commission of India (ECI) has significantly lessened the likelihood of the inaugural assembly elections taking place in the region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to a news release by Kashmir Media Service, the ECI has initiated a special summary revision of photo electoral rolls across all the Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies within the region, setting January 2024 as the eligibility date. This move was confirmed through a notice distributed by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, P K Pole. Given the nature of this extensive summary revision, it becomes evident that any hopes for near-term assembly elections in IIOJK are dwindling, as such revisions usually demand considerable time to be completed.

It’s worth noting that the last assembly elections held in the occupied territory took place back in November-December of 2014. The region underwent a period of political upheaval post-June 19, 2018, after the Bharatiya Janata Party ended its alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party. This political turbulence culminated in the dissolution of the assembly by the then-Governor, Satya Pal Malik, on November 21, 2018, leading to the imposition of Presidential rule in the territory.

In a prior move, the Election Commission of India had concluded a revision of the existing electoral rolls on November 25, 2022, which aimed to incorporate new voters, especially those who reached the age of 18 by October 1, 2022, into the updated lists.