The clock is ticking in Jammu and Kashmir, and it’s not just the winter chill creeping in. In just four months, by mid-January 2026, the District Development Councils (DDCs)—the last standing piece of local democracy in our Union Territory—will pack up unless fresh elections breathe new life into them. These councils, born in January 2021 after a historic vote, gave people a real say in the developmental matters of their districts. But with the State Election Commission (SEC) sitting idle without a boss for over four months, and no sign of key prep work like seat rotation or redrawing boundaries, we’re staring at a big gap in grassroots governance and J&K’s people deserve better.
Back in 2020, after decades of waiting, J&K held DDC elections. Twenty councils—10 in Jammu, 10 in Kashmir—sprang up, each with 14 members. Women got a solid 33% of seats, and there were spots reserved for scheduled castes and tribes too. Even the chairpersons posts were set aside to make sure everyone got a fair shot at leadership. These weren’t just meetings in dusty offices—they were game-changers. DDCs brought schools closer to kids, roads to remote villages, and clinics where they were needed most. From Jammu’s bustling streets to Kishtwar’s quiet hills, people’s voices turned into action—potholes fixed, jobs sparked, lives lifted.
SEC, the folks supposed to run these elections, has been leaderless since April 2025. No boss, no polls. Add to that, the rural development department hasn’t started rotating reserved seats—a must-do to keep things fair. And then there’s the bigger issue: every district gets 14 seats, whether it’s big, busy Jammu or smaller Samba. That’s not right. Leaders from all sides say seats should match population and voters—Jammu and Srinagar need more than, say, Bandipora or Ramban. Redrawing these lines takes time, and we’re running out of it. Snow shuts down elections from late December to February, so we’ve got barely two months to get moving.
So, what’s the hold-up? Lieutenant Governor’s office needs to appoint an SEC head. Rural development folks must get cracking on seat rotation. And if we’re serious about fairness, let’s redraw those district lines based on people and voters, not a one-size-fits-all rule. Follow 2020’s playbook: notify by November, vote by December, set up new councils by February. Panchayat elections are over due and so are the elections to the local bodies. Democracy is to be strengthened on grass roots and that is the key to inclusive development.
DDCs aren’t just councils—they’re J&K’s heartbeat, pumping hope into every village and town. Let’s not let them flatline. From Srinagar to Samba, the people are watching. It’s time for the powers-that-be to act—fast. Get SEC moving, redraw the maps, and let’s keep democracy alive as J&K’s future is waiting.