Governor N.N Vohra reviewed the status of preparations with regard to holding of Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections, with Mr. Shantmanu, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K at Civil Secretariat today.The CEO informed the Governor that the preparations are on course for conducting free and fair Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections in the state and that the final electoral roll will become available before 31st March, 2016. The Governor directed the CEO to draw up a tentative schedule for holding of elections to all Urban Local Bodies this year.Shantmanu, CEO, who has been designated as State Election Commission for holding Panchayat polls, informed the Governor that preparations have also been started to hold Panchayat elections which are due this year.
The Governor observed that holding of elections to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats in the State this year will enable democratic decentralisation of powers to the institutions at the grass root level in both the rural and urban areas. The Governor noted that the timely holding of elections to the Panchayats would secure the effective participation of the people in the decision making process and, besides, the elected representatives being empowered to oversee the implementation and monitor the developmental programmes relating to their areas.The Raj Bhawan spokesman added that the Governor will hold separate discussions with the leaders of all political parties for evolving the schedule of elections to the Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats to be held this year.