The Government Girls High School in Sattani, Udhampur, conducted a special Panchayat electoral roll revision drive on Sunday to enrol first-time voters, focusing on encouraging Gen Z participation ahead of the forthcoming municipal elections expected later this year.

Speaking to ANI, first-time voter Anvisha Mahajan said, “I thank my Udhampur administration for setting up a camp here, and as a first-time voter, I am very excited about voting… Voting is our right… Everyone motivated us to vote, and we were also given a bouquet.”

Panchayat Secretary Urvashi emphasised the role of awareness campaigns and community outreach in enhancing democratic engagement. She stated, “Today, we have set up a camp here to revise the Panchayat electoral rolls. For all our new voters who are coming to get their voter cards for the first time, those who have just become eligible, we are giving them flowers and bouquets, expressing our appreciation for coming to get their voter cards.” She added, “All the guidelines we have received from the State Election Commission say we need to raise awareness. We need to go door-to-door and conduct mass campaigns, hold rallies.”

Preparations for municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir continue, with polling likely to occur in multiple phases across the Jammu division and Kashmir Valley, expected to conclude by early November. Authorities are finalising ward reservation lists following public objections, with a formal announcement anticipated soon. Elections to Urban Local Bodies will be followed by Panchayat polls.

Separately, the Election Commission of India released the schedule for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, alongside bye-elections in eight constituencies across Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura. Polling will take place on April 9 in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry; on April 23 in Tamil Nadu; and in two phases, April 23 and April 29, in West Bengal.