Hold J&K Elections by Sept 30, 2024, Directs Supreme Court

New Delhi: While pronouncing its decision regarding a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Election Commission (EC) to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024.

A five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said, “We direct that steps shall be taken to conduct elections for the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024, and statehood shall be restored as soon as possible.”

The assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir for the last time in 2014. Following the elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) formed a coalition government with the support of the BJP. But in 2018, the government fell as the BJP withdrew its support. With the dissolution of the assembly, Governor’s Rule was imposed.

On August 5, 2019, the Centre scrapped Article 370 and the erstwhile state was divided into the Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Local elections have taken place in the region. These elections include the 2020 District Development Council polls and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil election held in 2023.