August 16th 2024.
In Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, some major changes have taken place in the administration. Several officials, including deputy commissioners, have been transferred to different districts, following the Election Commission's recent directive to transfer out officers posted in their home districts in the states going to polls.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the assembly elections on Friday afternoon. However, there is still some uncertainty about which states will have their election schedules announced. It has been decided that the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir will be held before September 30, as per the deadline set by the Supreme Court.
The general administration department of Jammu and Kashmir took action late Thursday night by issuing orders for 89 transfers and postings to be implemented immediately. This includes the transfers of deputy commissioners of Poonch and Bandipora districts, as well as secretaries, commissioners, director generals, managing directors, and directors of various departments.
The Election Commission of India had previously instructed the Union Territory administration on July 31 to transfer out officers who were posted in their home districts. This is a routine exercise carried out before conducting any elections. The Commission has always maintained a strict policy of not allowing officers who are directly involved in the election process to be posted in their home districts or places where they have served for an extended period of time.
Similar directions were also given to the chief secretaries of the poll-bound states of Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand. The terms of the legislative assemblies in these states will end on November 3, November 26, and January 5, respectively.
After a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to assess the poll preparedness, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on August 9 that no internal or external forces will be able to disrupt the assembly elections. He also mentioned that the elections will be held at the earliest possible time. This visit by the full commission was the first major step towards holding the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since it was declared a Union Territory on August 5, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.
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