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Urban local bodies’ polls to be held in four phases from October 8, says Chief Electoral Officer

Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday announced the dates for urban local bodies’ polls in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Chief electoral officer (CEO) Shaleen Kabra said that the municipal polls will be conducted in four phases: October 8, 10, 13, 16.

He said the notification for phase 1 will be issued on September 18. The notifications for phase 2, 3 and 4 will be issued on September 20, 22 and 24 respectively, he said. The CEO said that 17 lakh voters are registered for the polls.

He said counting will take place on October 20.

However, National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, two main political parties of the state have already boycotted the polls.

National Conference spokesperson, Ruhullah Mehdi, recently said that the party would not participate in the municipal and panchayat elections until the government of India would ‘clear’ its position regarding 35-A.

PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti at a party meeting told reporters recently that the prevailing situation was unfavorable for contesting elections.

She said the government was not keen at defending 35-A and insecurity has crept in the population. “The party therefore urges the government to review its decision to hold polls at this juncture,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Resistance leaders have also called for poll boycott. 

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