Elections in Jammu and Kashmir, but 24 seats reserved for PoK… Know what is this rule that has been in place since 1956?

Jammu and Kashmir is going to get an elected government soon. The Election Commission is very excited by the increased participation of people in the Lok Sabha elections, that is why it has made preparations to conduct the elections before the Supreme Court’s deadline of 30 September. Assembly elections are to be held in the state after 10 years. This time the circumstances are a little different. Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory.

After delimitation, the number of assembly seats in the state has increased to 90. For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, 9 seats are reserved for scheduled tribes. Seats are also reserved for scheduled castes. The number of women will also increase in the new assembly. Earlier there were 37 seats in Jammu division, which have now increased to 43. Similarly, earlier there were 46 seats in Kashmir division, which have now increased to 47. There will be 24 seats for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Earlier there were 107 seats in Jammu and Kashmir assembly, which have now increased to 114. Earlier there were two nominated members, now this number will be five. Two seats are also reserved for displaced Kashmiris.

Many people, due to lack of information, are surprised as to why seats have been reserved for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly? Actually, after delimitation, the number of members in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is 114, out of which 24 seats are for POK. As the name itself suggests, this area of ​​Jammu and Kashmir is under the occupation of Pakistan, that is why it is called POK. Both POK and Aksai Chin are integral parts of India. One day these areas will be freed from enemy occupation and will be returned to India.

Since 1956, when a separate constitution for Jammu and Kashmir was made, 24 seats from PoK have been in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. When Article 370 was abolished in August 2019, these 24 seats were retained. On 22 February 1994, the Indian Parliament unanimously passed a historic resolution. It clearlhould vacate those areas of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir which it has occupied through aggression.

The last assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014. This is the first time elections are being held after it became a Union Territory. Election activities have begun in the state. The date of the assembly elections may be announced today. The Election Commission will hold a press conference at 3 pm. Recently, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar visited Jammu and Kashmir. The Supreme Court had ordered elections in Jammu and Kashmir before September 30.

There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies, out of which 74 are general, 9 ST and 7 SC. There are a total of 87.09 lakh voters in Jammu and Kashmir. Out of these, 44.46 lakh are men, 42.62 women, 169 transgenders, 82,590 Divyangs, 73943 very senior citizens, 2660 centenarians, 76092 service voters and 3.71 lakh first time voters.