The Jammu and Kashmir government has told the Assembly that it cannot give a timeline for panchayat elections, which have been pending for years. The Rural Development Department said the process is still at the preparatory stage.

The terms of village panchayats and block development councils expired in January 2024, while district development councils completed their terms in February this year. The State Election Commission began revising electoral rolls in March, and delimitation work is underway.

Urban local body polls are also unlikely this year. Officials say the voter lists for municipal elections depend on a special revision by the Election Commission of India, which will happen only after the census process advances.

The BJP has blamed the National Conference-led government for the delay, saying the absence of elected local bodies is hurting grassroots services. The government said it will give the Election Commission full support whenever polls are scheduled.