Srinagar, June 5 -- The State Election Commission's (SEC) assessment of preparedness for the upcoming Panchayat and District Development Council (DDC) elections marks an important step in reinforcing grassroots democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. With local bodies forming the backbone of decentralized governance, timely and well-organized elections are essential for sustaining public trust in democratic institutions and ensuring effective delivery of development at the village and district levels. The review assumes significance as it comes at a time when rural governance structures are expected to play a more proactive role in planning and implementation of welfare schemes. Panchayats and DDCs are not merely electoral institutions; they are ...