In a clear indication that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are imminent, the Election Commission (EC) has directed the union territory administration to transfer officers posted in their home districts. This standard pre-election exercise aims to ensure impartiality and fairness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to Srinagar in June, had assured that assembly polls would be conducted in the union territory and statehood would be restored. The Supreme Court, in its hearing on the Article 370 case last year, instructed the EC to hold elections in the union territory by September 30, 2024.

The EC’s communication to J&K’s chief secretary and chief electoral officer said that 

no official connected directly with polls shall be allowed to continue in the present district (revenue district) of posting if she/he is posted in her/his home district or if she/he has completed three years in that district during the last four years or would be completing three years on or before September 30, 2024.

The directive aligns with similar instructions issued to the chief secretaries of Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand, where elections are also due.