Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar on Saturday issued a notification for the conduct of by-elections for Panchayat Polls to elect Sarpanches and Panches.
The elections are scheduled to be held in eight phases across Jammu and Kashmir beginning March 5. The elections are conducted on seats which remained vacant in 2018 Panchayat polls.
An official spokesperson said that on the notification has been issued for Pahalgam and Dachnipora blocks in south Kashmir’s Anantnag. Also, it includes areas Ganastan, Nowgam and Sumbal in north Kashmir’s Bandipora, Kandi Belt Rafiabad, Rafiabad and Pattan in Baramulla, Sukhnag and Beerwah in Budgam, Safapora, and Sheerpathri in Ganderbal, Behibagh in Kulgam, Wavoora, Sogam, Rajwar and Handwara in Kupwara, Kakapora (partly) and Pampore in Pulwama, Zainpora in Shopian, Harwan, Khonmoh, Srinagar and Qamarwari in Srinagar.
Similarly, in Jammu, the Panchayati by-elections will be held in Bhalwal Brahmana, Khour, Samwan, Khara Balli, Pragwal, Akhnoor, Maira, Mandrian, Chowki Choura, Mathwar, Bhalwal and Marh blocks of Jammu District, Poonch, Balakote, Mankote and Mendhar in Poonch District, Manjakote, Panjgrain, Lamberi, Siot, Dangri, Rajouri, Doongi, Qila Darhal, Nowshera Seri, Sunderbani, Darhal, Thanamandi, Planger, Budhal, Rajnagar, Khawas, Kalakote and Moughla in Rajouri District, Bhamag, Thakrakote, Pouni, Reasi, Panthal and Katra in District Reasi, Purmandal, Bari Brahmana, Vijaypur, Samba, Nud, Sumb, Ramgarh, Ghagwal, and Rajpura in Samba District, Jaganoo, Narsoo, Tikri and Udhampur block of Udhampur.
According to the notification, the last date for making nominations is February 22 (Saturday) and the date for the scrutiny of nominations is February 24, 2020 (Monday). It said that the last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 26, 2020 (Wednesday), the date on which a poll, if necessary, shall be from 09 am to 01 pm on March 05, 2020 (Thursday), the date of counting is March 05 (Thursday) unless notified otherwise, and the date before which the election shall be completed has been fixed as 26 March (Thursday).

Raashid Hassan