In the final phase, 132 municipal wards in Kashmir to go to polls

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 24

The state election department on Monday issued the notification for the fourth and final phase of urban local bodies elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the fourth phase, as many as 132 municipal wards in the Kashmir division, including 25 wards of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), will go to the polls on October 16.

According to the notification, the last day for filing nominations for these wards is October 1, while the scrutiny of the nominations will be held on October 3. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 5.

At least 25 wards of the SMC, 13 wards of Municipal Committee, Pattan, 17 wards of Municipal Committee, Ganderbal, 17 wards of Municipal Committee, Pampore, 13 wards of Municipal Committee, Khrew, 13 wards of Municipal Committee, Pulwama, and 17 wards each of Municipal Committees Shopian and Dooru Verinag will go to the polls in the final phase of the polling.

There are a total of 79 municipal corporations, councils and committees in J&K. There are 1,145 wards in all municipal bodies in the state. The total number of electors across the state is 16.97 lakh. Out of 1,145 wards, 90 wards have been reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 38 for Scheduled Tribes. In addition to this, 366 wards have been reserved for women.

The last municipal elections were conducted in January-February 2005 and ballot boxes had been used then. The last elected civic bodies had completed their five-year term in March 2010.

The counting of votes will be held on October 20.