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Ready to hold elections in J&K but no time frame yet to restore statehood: Union Govt to Supreme Court
“Ready to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir anytime now”, the Union Government has submitted before the Supreme Court on Thursday but with a disclaimer that it can not confirm when would the statehood be restored in Jammu and Kashmir. "So far as statehood is concerned, I've already made a statement but that apart, the statement of Home Minister on the floor of parliament - UT is a temporary thing, we're dealing with an extremely extraordinary situation”, said Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General
During the hearing before the Supreme Court Constitution Bench over the abrogation of Article 370: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the government, said that the process of updating the voter list is almost over.
"When are you going to hold elections? We understand that these are matters of national security. The preservation of the nation itself is the overriding concern. But …is there a time frame in view? Equally, restoration of democracy is important" the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked.
SG Tushar Mehta affirmed that there are three elections that are due. “For the first time, the three-tier panchayat raj system is introduced. The first elections would be for panchayats. District development council elections have already taken place”, he added. He also highlighted statistics indicating how since the abrogation of Article 370, the environment has now turned conducive to holding elections.
According to SG
"The terrorist-initiated instances are reduced by 45.2% ( contrasting 2018 with 2023). Infiltration reduced by 90.2%."
"Law and order events- stone pelting etc. reduced by 97.2%. Security person casualty is reduced by 65.9%."
"In 2018, the stone pelting was 1767. It is nil (now), not just because of effective policing and security personnel but because of various steps such as gainfully employing youth, etc."
CJI clarified that submissions of the Union Government concerning statehood or holding elections in J&K will not have any bearing on the ongoing legal hearing before the bench that is to decide on the legality of the abrogation of Article 370. SG however had confirmed the UT status of Ladakh will continue.
