According totop sources in the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Assembly electionsin the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are likely to be deferred till2021.

The sourcesaid that the process of delimitation of Assembly seats is expected to begin bythe end of November and the process would take around 14 months to complete.

According toreports, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is expected to write to the ECIafter October 31, 2019 to start the process of delimitation for the UnionTerritory of Jammu and Kashmir.

It said thatthe MHA communication cannot be sent to the ECI for delimitation before October31 because constitutionally the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into the UnionTerritories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir will come into effect that day.

Sources inthe ECI further said that it will complete the delimitation process in 14months in 9-10 phases as it is mandatory to complete all the required processesand procedures to hold the process.

The ECIsource said that until and unless the ECI formally announces the completion ofthe delimitation process, the assembly elections in the state will have to bedeferred till 2021.

The sources furtherinformed that after the Ladakh division separates from Jammu and Kashmir, thetotal number of Assembly seats will come down to 83 from 87 since the fourseats of Leh, Kargil, Zanskar and Nubra would no longer be a part of Jammu andKashmir legislative assembly.