Jammu and Kashmir government has announced four phase schedule for Municipal polls and eight phase schedule for Panchayat polls starting October 1.
Amid militant threats and separatists boycott call, Jammu and Kashmir government has announced four phase schedule for Municipal polls and eight phase schedule for Panchayat polls starting October 1.
Elections to Municipal Bodies will be conducted in four phases with polling dates between October 1 to October 5, 2018. Similarly, elections to Panchayats will be conducted in eight phases with polling dates between November 8 and December 4, 2018.
The decision was taken in State Administrative Council (SAC), meeting which was chaired by J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik.
“After extensive deliberations on various aspects and feedback received from the Departments of Housing & Urban Development, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Home decided to commence the formal process for conducting Municipal Body and Panchayat elections in the Jammu & Kashmir and take all other consequential action as per law”, said an official spokesman after the meeting.
Chief Electoral Officer of J&K was asked to adjust the schedules keeping in view security, operational and the polling requirements. “The SAC also decided to grant one month’s extra salary/wages/remuneration in favor of the staff engaged in the conduct of elections besides insurance cover to mitigate risks”, said the spokesman.
The spokesman said Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections will enable people to take decisions at their own level, without having to go to the state capital or the district headquarters for their basic requirements. Local Bodies will handle a substantial amount of funds and truly empower people all over the state.
“Voter education will be given special focus. For this purpose, the government will launch a sustained campaign to sensitize the voters about the importance of these elections in the socio-economic development at the grass root level”, he said.
Panchayat polls are being held in Jammu and Kashmir after two year delay. Panchayat elections were last held in 2011 after 33 years hiatus in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 80 per cent people had defied militants and cast their votes in the Panchayat elections in 2011. More than 33000 Panchayat representatives were elected in the polls across the state in 2011
Last municipal polls in Jammu and Kashmir were held in 2005 for the term of five years term. There are 47 Municipal Council/Committees in Kashmir division and 37 in Jammu division. Municipal Corporation of Srinagar has 73 wards while as Municipal Corporation of Jammu consists of 71 wards. There are three Municipal Councils each in Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
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