The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant event as the region prepares for its first assembly elections in a decade. This long-awaited electoral process will unfold over three crucial phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. In the Doda district, the District Election Officer, Harvinder Singh, confirmed during a recent press conference that the model code of conduct has already come into effect, given that the district’s three constituencies are slated to vote in the first phase on September 18. Singh emphasised that the notification for the polling will be issued on August 20, and the critical deadlines for candidates include the final date for filing nominations, set for August 27, and the last date for withdrawing candidature, which is August 30. The significance of this election cannot be overstated, as Jammu and Kashmir have not held an assembly election since 2014. The political landscape shifted dramatically in June 2018 when the PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed after the BJP withdrew its support from then-Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. The vacuum in governance and subsequent political developments have added a heightened sense of urgency and importance to these upcoming elections. As per the ECI, there are 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. Among them, 74 are designated as general constituencies, nine are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), and seven for Scheduled Castes (SC). The electorate comprises a diverse demographic, with a total of 87.09 lakh voters, including 44.46 lakh males, 42.62 lakh females, and 169 transgender individuals. Additionally, the voter list includes 82,590 persons with disabilities (PwDs), 73,943 very senior citizens, 2,660 centenarians, 76,092 service electors, and 3.71 lakh first-time voters, highlighting the broad spectrum of participation expected in this election. The ECI has underscored the importance of impartiality and transparency, directing all enforcement agencies to ensure smooth, fair, and unbiased polling, thereby guaranteeing a level playing field for all political entities. Training and interactive sessions with political parties have already been convened to ensure adherence to the model code of conduct and to foster a conducive environment for democratic engagement. The final act of this electoral process will be the counting of votes, scheduled for October 4, which will determine the future political direction of Jammu and Kashmir, following the Supreme Court’s directive to the Centre to conclude the election process by September 30, 2024. The upcoming elections, therefore, represent a critical juncture in the region’s political history, offering a fresh opportunity for governance and democratic participation after years of uncertainty.