Delimitation Commission preparing draft report after J&K visit

Manjil Das, INN/Chennai
Twitter-@SGiggle29 @Infodeaofficial

Nearly a fortnight after its initial visit, the Committee on Delimitation began to work on a draught report on the proposed new form of assembly constituencies, which would be shared before publication with its associated members, authorities said here on Sunday.

From 6 to 9 July the panel led by Judge Ranjana Desai of the Supreme Court visited the Union territory. The committee also includes Chief Electoral Officer Sushil Chandra as a former member of the office and the electoral official of Jammu and Cashmere.

The Commission officials added that the data collected from deputy commissioners and approximately 290 delegations, including 800 delegations of politicians, from various sectors of life, met during their tour, will be compiled by the Commission.

A draught report will be created utilising this feedback and communicated to associated Members, consisting of three BJP members, Farooq Abdullah, Hasnain Masoodi and Akbar Lone, and BJP members Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore Sharma, who will participate in the National Conference.

The first committee meeting was boycotted by the National Conference.

After the draught report was shared, the Delimitation Board held an opinion meeting with associate members before the final draught for public comments and challenges to be raised. The limits were reiterated by the authorities.

The committee also examined some districts where the borders of the judicial authorities may be adjusted since there are portions from two districts that constitute the electoral district.

The experiment has come to an urgent end, with evidence suggesting Jammu and Kashmir are eager to have early assembly elections. The polls might be held in the following six to nine months is speculated.

The Commission is scheduled to re-design and create new electoral districts until 6 March next year.

Premier Narendra Modi had had a meeting last month with leaders from the key Jammu and Kashmir political parties in which he underlined the need for a speedy delimitation procedure so that polls may be held in the UT.

The number of assembly places in Jammu and Kashmir would be increased from 83 to 90, after the delimitation procedure is over.

24 seats in the conference continue to be empty as the Kashmir held by Pakistan fall (PoK).