Elections
Amid calls for boycott, polling in Panchayat election begins in Kashmir
Srinagar: Under Governor’s rule after fall of a government, amid tight security and Joint Resistance Leadership’s call for strike against Panchayat Polls, the nine-phased polling for Panchayat constituencies and halqas begins today.
According to J&K’s chief electoral officer Shaleen Kabra, the total number of voters who are going to exercise their franchise in the polls are 5854208,with a total of 4483 Panchayat halqas and 35029 Panchayat constituencies. At least 47 panchayat blocks will go to the polls in the first phase on Saturday in 16 blocks in Kashmir, 21 blocks in Jammu and 10 in Ladakh region.
The second phase will be held on 20 November. The last date for filing nominations will be on 2 November while as the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 5 November.
For third phase that will be held on 24 November, the last date for filing nominations will be on 5 November while as the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 8 November, he said, adding that for fourth phase that will be held on 27 November, the last date for filing nominations will be on 8 November while as the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 12 November.
The fifth phase will be held on 29 November, the last date for filing nominations will be on 10 November while as the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 14 November.
The sixth phase that will be held on 1 December, the last date for filing nominations will be on 13 November while as the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 16 November.
For seventh phase that will be held on 4 December, the last date for making nominations will be on 9 November while as the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be on 19 November, he said, adding that for eighth phase that will be held on 8 December, the last date for making nominations will be on 12 November while as the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be on 22 November.
For the final and ninth phase, the last date for filing nominations will be on 22 November while as the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 26 November.
The polls will culminate on December 11.
While the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party stay away from the polls, the locals are observing the shutdown call today, following JRL’s anti-election policy.
Meanwhile, Control Rooms have been established in all the districts across the State to respond promptly to any complaints of violation of the Model Code of Conduct as also to disseminate information to the public.
The Government has declared a holiday on the day of poll in the Panchayat areas going to polls so as to enable the voters to cast their vote.
