Jammu and Kashmir finalizes panchayat electoral rolls as voter count crosses 72 lakh

JAMMU, May 20, 2026: The State Election Commission of Jammu and Kashmir has officially concluded the annual revision of Panchayat Electoral Rolls with the publication of the final list, establishing April 1, 2026, as the qualifying date.

The comprehensive exercise began with the publication of the draft roll on March 27, 2026, and culminated today following a structured schedule of public claims, objections, and rigorous field verifications.

The commission opened a 40-day window for filings, allowing electoral registration officers to examine and dispose of all submissions by May 14, 2026, thereby setting the essential groundwork for upcoming panchayat elections across the union territory.

The revision drive recorded significant voter activity and a net increase of 2,26,040 voters compared to the previous revision concluded in January 2025. A total of 3,39,384 new voters were added to the rolls, while 1,13,344 names were deleted due to death, shifting, duplication, or other admissible reasons.

Additionally, corrections were made to the particulars of 17,664 voters, and 31,590 electors were transposed, bringing the final roll to 72,24,131 eligible voters, which comprises 36,62,502 males, 35,61,488 females, and 141 third-gender voters.

The commission received 5,10,285 forms during the revision period, all of which were processed by booth officials and administrative officers according to the prescribed timelines.

To maximize public outreach, the commission executed extensive voting awareness campaigns through print and electronic media, including radio jingles, voter appeals, and newspaper advertisements.

Local district authorities also utilized hoardings and mobile awareness vans to ensure that no eligible citizen was left out of the democratic process. State Election Commissioner Shantmanu commended the coordinated efforts of the district panchayat election officers, the staff of the commission, the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, and political representatives.

He also expressed gratitude to the public, particularly praising the enthusiastic response from the youth who turned out in large numbers to drive the registration numbers upward.