Khan Feroz CNI

Jammu, July 8: The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) has raised serious concern over the delay in appointing a new State Election Commissioner in Jammu and Kashmir. The organization said it has been more than a month since the post became vacant, and yet no action has been taken by the government.

Speaking at a press conference, AJKPC president Anil Sharma strongly criticized the silence of political parties, the Lieutenant Governor, and other elected leaders. He said their lack of concern shows they are not serious about strengthening democracy at the village level. “If our leaders truly cared about grassroots democracy, at least one of them would have raised this issue in the media or with the government,” Sharma said.

He pointed out that since the term of B R Sharma, the former Chief Secretary of J&K, ended as State Election Commissioner, not a single political leader has demanded the appointment of a new one. Sharma said this shows a disturbing neglect of democratic institutions in the region.

He further alleged that MLAs from all political parties are not interested in holding Panchayat or Urban Local Body elections. According to him, this is why they have remained silent. “On other issues, even those unrelated to J&K, they give big statements. But on this key democratic issue, there is complete silence,” he added.

Sharma reminded that under the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, only the State Election Commission has the authority to hold local elections. He said Panchayat and ULB polls have already been overdue by more than 18 months, yet the administration has not taken any steps to fix the issue.

Appealing to government officials, Sharma said that bureaucrats working with Raj Bhavan must remember their duty is to serve the people and protect democratic institutions. “Individuals come and go, but institutions must be protected. Officers are meant to work in public interest, not follow any one person’s will,” he said.

He also announced that AJKPC is planning to launch a state-wide campaign after the Shri Amarnath Yatra and Independence Day on August 15 to push for immediate Panchayat elections. He confirmed that a detailed letter has already been sent to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister, urging them to fill the vacant post of State Election Commissioner without any more delay.