Elections in Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir - Legislative Assembly - It was in 1934 when the first Legislature of Jammu and Kashmir comprising of the Assembly and the Council of Ministers was formed. The Constitution of the State of Jammu and Kashmir was framed on 26 January 1957. Section 46 of the Constitution states that the Legislature will be comprised of the Governor, the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly. The strength of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was 100 members. The Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir (Twentieth Amendment) Act of 1988 revised the number of seats in the house and the house was given the permission to accommodate 111 members.
The State of Jammu and Kashmir was governed by Dogra rulers till 1947 when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession in favour of the Indian Union on 26 October 1947. The first Legislature of Jammu and Kashmir, consisting of a Council of Ministers and an Assembly, was established in 1934. The Constitution of the State of Jammu and Kashmir framed by a separate Constituent Assembly came into force from 26 January 1957. Section 46 of the Jammu & Kashmir Constitution states that the Legislature shall consist of the Governor and the two Houses known as the Legislative Council (Upper House) and the Legislative Assembly (Lower House). The Legislative Assembly consisted of one hundred members chosen by direct election from the territorial constituencies in the State. Subsequently, under the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir (Twentieth Amendment) Act, 1988 - this was raised to 111. However, as per section 48 of the State Constitution, twenty-four seats shall remain vacant in the Legislative Assembly for the area of the State presently under the occupation of Pakistan. These seats are not taken into account for reckoning the total membership of the Assembly. Provision has also been made for the nomination of two women as members of the Assembly by the Governor, if he is of the opinion that women are not adequately represented in the Legislative Assembly
Jammu & Kashmir - Political Parties - The heavenly paradise of Jammu and Kashmir, nestled on the lap of the Himalayas has been the bone of discontent between India and Pakistan since time immemorial. In fact India's much desired freedom came at the cost of repeater strifes in the state that shook the entire nation. In fact, the Jammu and Kashmir Political Parties play a monumental role in holding together the politically high strung state.
Amongst the political parties responsible for the jurisdiction of Jammu and Kashmir, the national parties namely the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janta Party hold on to the political reigns. In fact the presently the administration of Jammu and Kashmir is spearhead by the Congress who have formed the state's government that is led by the able leadership of Ghulam Nabi Azad.
There are several state parties too that are yearning to establish a strong political foothold in the state. The notable state parties include:
One of the several State Parties of Jammu and Kashmir that are active in the state political scenario, the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party holds a prominent part. The party was founded in the year 1999. Ex Union Home Minister of India - Mr. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was among the leading founder members of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party.
