The Election Commission on Saturday announced the schedule for polls to the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly.The elections will be held in five phases from November 25 to December 20. The counting of votes would be held on December 23.With this announcement, the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately. The Chief Election Commissioner, V.S Sampat while addressing a press conference in New Delhi said that this schedule had been fixed after taking into account views of all the political parties.V.S Sampat said the first phase of election in Jammu and Kashmir would cover 15 Assembly seats for which the notification would be issued on November 28.
The constituencies where the first phase of election (Nov 25) will be held are Gurez, Bandipora, Sonawari, Nobra, Leh, Kargil, Zanskar, Kangan, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Inderwal, Doda, Bhaderwa, Ramban and Banihal.
CEC according to CNS said under the second phase, 17 seats will be covered and the notification will be issued on November 7. The last date for nominations is fixed for November 17 and the scrutiny will be on November 15. The last date of withdrawal of nominations is November 14 and the polls will be held on December 2.
The constituencies under the second phase of election are Gool Gulab Ghar, Riasi Arnas, Udhampur, Chinani, Ram Nagar, Surankot, Mendhar, Poonch Haveli, Karna, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, Langate, Noor Abad, Kulgam, Home Shali Bugh and Devsar.
The third phase of the assembly elections will cover fifteen seats and the notification will be issued on November 19. The last date of nomination is November 26 and the scrutiny will be on November 27. The last date of withdrawal of nominations is November 26 and the polls will be held on December 9.
Constituencies for the third phase of election are Rafiabad, Sopore, Sangrama, Baramulla, Gulmarag, Pattan, Chadora, Budgam, Beerwa, Khansahab, Charar-i-Sharief, Tral, Pampore, Pulwama and Rajpora.The fourth phase of the assembly elections according to Election Commission of India will cover 18 seats and the notification will be issued on November 14. The last date of nomination is November 23 and the scrutiny will be on November 22. The last date of withdrawal of nominations is November 23 and the polls will be held on December 14.
The constituencies for the fourth phase of election are Hazratbal, Zadibal, Idgah, Khanyar, Habakadal, Amirakadal, Sonawar, Batamaloo, Anantnag, Dooru, Kokarnag, Shangas, Bijbehara, Pahalgam, Wachi, Shopian, Sanba and Vijaypur.V.S.Sampat said the fifth and last phase will spread over 20 constituencies which are Bani, Basoli, Kathua, Bilawar, Hiranagar, Nagroota, Gandhinagar, Jammu East and Jammu West, Bishna, RS Pora, Suchitgarh, Marh, Dumana, Akhnoor, Chumbh, Nowshera, Darhal, Rajouri Kalakot.The poll notification for this phase will be issued on November 26. The last date for nominations is December 3 and the scrutiny on December 4. The last date of withdrawal of nominations is December 6 and the polls will be held on December 20. Chief Election Commissioner said that the NOTA option be available in the State. (CNS)