Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Feb 22: The Government of India on Tuesday granted an extension of two months to the delimitation commission constituted by it in 2020 to redraw J&K’s electoral map.
The Union Ministry of Law & Justice today issued a notification to grant an extension of two months to the panel headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (retd.) Ranjana Desai. The term of the three- member commission was coming to an end on March 5, 2022.
This development has made it clear that the entire exercise would be concluded by or before May 05, 2022.The commission has already shared its draft report with five members of Parliament from Jammu & Kashmir, who are its associate members.
It is expected that the panel would soon put its report in public domain to seek feedback from different stakeholders including political parties.
After the deadline for seeking suggestions/ objections is over, the commission would hold public sittings for their consideration. The public sittings would be followed with publishing of final orders by the panel.
The commission’s final orders, which shall have the force of law and shall not be called in question in any court, would also be laid in the Parliament.
The delimitation in Jammu & Kashmir is being carried out under The Delimitation Acr-2002 and The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act-2019.
It is pertinent to mention that the Union Home Minister on Monday said that elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held within six to eight months of the delimitation exercise being wrapped up in the Union Territory.
“The delimitation exercise is about to get over. After that, within six-eight months, the elections will be held. There is no confusion,” Amit Shah said in an interview to a New- Delhi based news channel.
According to sources, the election for J&K Legislative Assembly is likely to be held in October- November this year.
