19.10.08

Elections announced in Jammu & Kashmir





The Election Commission announced a seven-phased election in Jammu and Kashmir beginning November 17 till December 24, saying it has taken a "risk" on the issue of participation of political parties in the exercise.Announcing the poll schedule, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said that the snow-bound Leh and Kargil regions would go polls in the initial two phases.The polling for the 87-member assembly will be held on November 17, 23, 30, December 7, 13, 17 and 24. Counting of votes will take place on December 28.Against the backdrop of parties and outfits in the Kashmir Valley expressing themselves against polls at this juncture, the CEC said the Commission has taken a "risk".This was in apparent reference to political parties in Kashmir like the PDP which said no to polls and another mainstream party, National Conference (NC) which gave its nod after having voiced initial reservation.Observing that the Commission has prepared contingency plans to supplement the state machinery for the conduct of the polls, Gopalaswami said about 3,500 government employees from outside could supplement the state machinery.He said in the last assembly polls in 2002, government employees from outside the state were deployed for the exercise.There are 65,38,111 electors in J and K which is currently under Governor's rule.The assembly was dissolved following political instability after the PDP withdrew its support to the Congress-led government in the wake of Amarnath land row. The span of Governor's rule would end on January 10th.The Centre has assured the Commission that adequate number of contingents of central police forces would be made available to ensure the safety, security and free movement of electors, candidates, leaders of political parties and polling personnel and guarding of polling materials and polling stations, he said.The notification for the first phase covering ten assembly constituencies would be issued on October 24 and the last date for filing nominations would be October 31. The scrutiny will take place on November one and the last date for withdrawal would be November three.
The second phase would cover six assembly segments and the notification would be issued on October 29. The last date for filing nominations would be on November five and the scrutiny will take place the following day. The last date for withdrawal would be on November 8.
For the third phase which would cover five constituencies, notification would be issued on November four, Last date for filing nominations would be November 11 and the scrutiny the following day. The last date for withdrawal would be on November 14.In the fourth phase in which 18 constituencies would be covered, notification would be issued on November 10. Last date for filing nominations would be on November 17 and scrutiny the following day. Last date for withdrawal would be on November 20.The fifth phase would take care of 11 constituencies. Notification would be issued on November 17. Last date for filing nominations would be November 24 and the scrutiny the following day. The last date for withdrawal would be November 27. The sixth phase would cover 16 constituencies. Notification would be issued on November 22. Last date for filing nominations would be on November 29 and the scrutiny would be on December one. Nominations can be withdrawn till December three.For the seventh phase in which elections would be held for 21 constituencies, notification would be issued on November 26. Last date for filing nominations would be on December three and scrutiny the following day. Last date for withdrawal would be December six.

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