The Jammu and Kashmir government will hold the much-awaited panchayat elections in the next few months, with the State Cabinet clearing the proposal on Wednesday.
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The last panchayat elections were held in October 2000.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired the Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday and accepted a report given by a Cabinet sub-committee constituted to look into various issues, including the 73rd amendment to the Constitution.
An official spokesman said it was agreed to hold three-tier panchayat polls in accordance with the existing law. However, a senior Minister said the decision was taken within the spirit of the 73rd amendment.
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Poll process
“It [Cabinet] also approved holding of panchayat polls on a non-party basis and said the election process should be completed by May 2011. It was also decided that the schedule for these polls will be worked out in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officer of the State,” the spokesman said.