J&K: Bypolls To Over 12,500 Panchayat Seats In The UT Postponed For Three Weeks Due To Security Reasons

The Panchayat bypolls which were scheduled to be held in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) from 5 March earlier have been postponed for a span of three weeks due to security reasons, reports Hindu Businessline.

Bypolls to over 12,500 panchayat seats in the UT was set to be held in eight phases starting on 5 March and ending on 20 March. However, in view of the security situation, the notification of the bypolls was withdrawn yesterday (18 February).

The development came after the inputs provided by the UT's home department over the security issues.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that the last round of Panchayat elections in the UT of J&K was boycotted by the regional political outfits, National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP), headed by Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.

Earlier on Tuesday (18 February), UT’s chief electoral officer (CEO) Shailendra Kumar held a meeting with all parties to hear their concerns. Kumar assured the parties that their concerns will be addressed.