Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has summoned the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet on October 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Srinagar, a significant development announced today, September 28, 2025, signaling progress toward restoring the region’s democratic processes. The order, issued under Section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, comes as the Union Territory prepares for its first assembly elections in over six years, following the Supreme Court’s December 2023 directive to hold polls by September 30, 2026. Sinha, exercising his powers as Lt Governor, stated in the official notification, “I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, do hereby summon the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet at Srinagar on Thursday, the 23rd October, 2025 at 10.00 AM.”
This summons marks the assembly’s first session since its dissolution in 2018, paving the way for lawmakers to address pressing issues like flood recovery, unemployment, and infrastructure. The 90-member house, elected through the upcoming polls expected in late 2025, will focus on the model code of conduct’s implications, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar confirming a three-phase rollout starting October 10. The session will allow the council to deliberate on the Reorganisation Act’s provisions, including reservations for Scheduled Castes (7 seats) and Tribes (9 seats) as per the 2023 amendment.
For Jammu, the assembly’s return is a milestone, offering a platform for regional concerns like rural development in Doda and Udhampur. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the move.
BJP’s Jugal Kishore Sharma echoed, “This is democracy in action – Jammu’s voice will be heard loud.” The session’s timing, post-delimitation (adding 6 seats to Jammu, 1 to Kashmir, totaling 114, though 24 for PoK), sets the stage for a balanced representation.
The UHQ meeting yesterday, chaired by Sinha with Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, and corps commanders Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, Lt Gen P K Mishra, and Lt Gen Rajan Sharawat, reviewed security for the polls, ensuring over 80,000 paramilitary troops for a secure vote. Air Vice Marshal Vikas Sharma, AOC J&K, and Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti also attended. Sinha congratulated forces for anti-terror ops, directing a “whole of government approach” against radicalization and drugs.
Aap Leader Mudassir Hassan has been demanding the session for various agendas of J&K and local leadership.
As Navratri concludes, the assembly summons adds to the festive optimism. ECI’s voter drives aim for 70% turnout, with postal ballots for migrants. For Jammu & Kashmir, October 23 is a new chapter – democracy’s return, with eyes on fair representation. The session will shape the future; J&K watches closely.