Jammu & Kashmir, September 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government has asked all the government employees to remain available at their respective places of posting till the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Panchayat polls get over. According to a DNA report, ULB polls will be held in four phases from October 8 to 16 while Panchayat elections will take place in nine phases from November 17 to December 11. These elections are being held on a non-party basis and, therefore, counting of votes will start at the end of each voting phase. Jammu and Kashmir: State Election Commission Announces Nine Phase Panchayat Polls.

The order as quoted in the report said, "Leave of any kind sanctioned to government employees (except leave sanctioned on medical grounds or for study purposes) shall stand cancelled forthwith. The concerned employees shall report to their respective places of posting immediately." Nearly 5812429 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the Panchayat polls.

Paramilitary forces have arrived in the Valley to maintain peace and ensure free and fair elections scheduled to be held next month. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have announced they will stay away from these polls. "With this announcement, the model code of conduct has come into effect and all concerned are expected to strictly follow it," the officer added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2018 10:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).