Governor Reviews Preparations For Conduct Of Panchayat, Urban Local Bodies Elections

Srinagar:  The State Administrative Council (SAC) which met here today under the chairmanship of Governor, Shri N N Vohra reviewed the preparations for conduct of elections to the Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies in the State.

Shri K.B Aggarwal, Financial Commissioner, Housing & Urban Development Department; Shri Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor; Shri R.K. Goyal, Principal Secretary to Government, Home Department, Shri ShaleenKabra, Chief Electoral Officer; and Ms. Sheetal Nanda, Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, attended the meeting as Special Invitees.

The SAC reviewed all aspects relating to the preparations and conduct of elections which, interalia, include drawing up of schedules for the publication of latest electoral rolls; their updation and finalization; publication of final electoral rolls; polling in Urban Local Bodies through EVMs; availability of EVMs and Ballot boxes etc, to enable conduct of elections inSeptember/October, 2018.

Governor directed the Chief Electoral Officer to finalize new Panchayat Halqas by 2nd August, 2018 for their notification, as may be required.

Governor observed that with the holding of elections to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats across the State, the institutions of local self-governance will be revived resulting in their inclusion in the development process at the grassroots level. (GNS)