Jammu and Kashmir civic poll dates announced, voting to be held in 4 phases

SRINAGAR: Pooh-poohing the boycott decision of Jammu and Kashmir’s two major mainstream political parties -National Conference (NC) and Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) -and reluctance of Congress party to participate in these, the election authorities on Saturday announced the dates for urban local bodies’ elections in the restive state.

Addressing a press conference here, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shaleen Kabra said that the municipal polls across the State will be conducted in four phases beginning on October 8. He said that the notification for the first phase will be issued on September 18 and that for phase 2, 3 and 4 on September 20, 22 and 24, respectively.

As many as 17 lakh voters are registered for these polls, he said. He also said that the polling will be held on October 8, 10, 13 and 16 while as the counting of votes will take place on October 20. Mr. Kabra said that with the announcement of the poll schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force.