Polls to vacant local body seats in J&K soon

Election Commissioner KK Sharma said that seats of Panchs and Sarpanchs still lying vacant in panchayat’s across Jammu and Kashmir despite the conduct of DDC polls will be filled soon as Commission is going to issue a separate notification for their election once DDC polls are over.

Srinagar:Jammu and Kashmir Election Commissioner (SEC) KK Sharma Wednesday said that separate notification will be issued for vacant seats of Panchs, Sarpanchs in the union territory.

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Sharma said, "A separate notification will be issued for Panchs and Sarpanchs from those areas where no nomination forms have been received. The government will analyze the feedback after which separate notification will be issued for the further conduct of elections."

He said that Government is committed to ensure the development and empower people at the grassroots level, adding the motto behind the elections for vacant seats is to ensure the development of Panchayat’s.

Sharma expressed glad over massive participation of electorates during 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th phases of DDC polls across Jammu and Kashmir.

“People came out in long queues while braving the chill and cast their ballots during last four phases of DDC elections”, he said, added, “I am hopeful that electorates will turn up with same enthusiasm during rest of the four-phases”.

About complaints of violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and distribution of money among voters, Sharma said that Government has taken strong note of such complaints.

“Investigation teams have been set into motion who will unveil the truth. If any officer or employee will be found involved in violating norms, he will be suspended and attached”, Sharma added.