Civic, Panchayat polls won't be deferred: J&K Chief Secretary

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam on Wednesday dismissed reports that the upcoming municipal elections could be postponed, making it clear that both municipal and panchayat polls would be held according to the announced schedule.

Responding to reports that the Governor's administration was considering deferring the municipal elections, Subrahmanyam said there was no such plan.

"Municipal and Panchayat polls will be held as per schedule," the Chief Secretary told reporters on the sidelines of an official function in Srinagar.

His statement came amid growing political uncertainty over the local body elections, with several major political parties expressing reservations about participating.

The National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have already announced that they will boycott the municipal and panchayat polls.

The Congress has also raised concerns over the timing of the elections, saying that the prevailing security and political situation in the Kashmir Valley was not conducive to conducting the polls.

The administration's decision to stick to the election schedule means the local body polls are set to proceed despite the absence or reservations of major political parties.

The elections are being viewed as an important step toward strengthening grassroots-level democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the boycott announcements by key regional parties could affect voter participation and the overall political character of the contests.

The administration is now expected to focus on ensuring adequate security and logistical arrangements so that the elections can be conducted as scheduled.