Archive · 6 Sep 2025
EC's Plea for J&K Rajya Sabha Elections Denied by Law Ministry
Imagine J&K doesn't have people in the Indian government's upper house (Rajya Sabha) because their terms ended and new elections haven't happened.
The Election Commission (EC) wanted to make sure this doesn't happen again.
They asked the government if they could change the rules so some terms ended at different times.
This way, J&K would always have someone representing them.
The government said no because the current rules don't allow it, so J&K is still waiting for its elections to happen.
This is important because J&K has been without representation in the Rajya Sabha for four years.
The Election Commission (EC) requested a presidential order to stagger the terms of J&K's Rajya Sabha seats.
The Law Ministry rejected the EC's request, stating there was no legal provision for such an order.
J&K has been without Rajya Sabha representation since 2021.
The EC sought to prevent all seats from becoming vacant simultaneously.
The government cited the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which limits such orders.
- Who
- Election Commission (EC) and Union Law and Justice Ministry
- What
- Dispute over holding Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir and staggering their terms.
- When
- The EC's request was made earlier in 2024, and denied in August.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Why
- To ensure continuous representation of J&K in the Rajya Sabha; Ministry cited lack of legal provision.
- Issue
- EC's request for presidential order to stagger J&K Rajya Sabha terms
- Ministry Response
- Rejected EC's request; cited no legal provision
- Current Status
- J&K has had no Rajya Sabha representation since 2021
- Relevant Law
- Representation of the People Act, 1951 (R P Act)