Srinagar, Aug 31: The schedule for the municipal and panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir was released on Friday by the State Administrative Council (SAC). As per the dates announced, the urban bodies will be contested between October 1 to 5, 2018, followed by panchayat elections from November 8 to December 4.

In the SAC meet today, headed by J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik, it was decided to conduct the municipal elections in four phases, followed by the panchayat polls in eight phases.

The SAC has also identified the key security and infrastructure concerns, which would be adequately addressed. The governance body, in coordination with the State Election Commission, will also conduct a voter sensitisation campaign.

The polling staff, along with the security officials, will be provided an extra month's salary, the SAC said, adding that an insurance cover would also be provided to mitigate risks posed by insurgents.

"Voter education will be given a special focus. For this purpose, the government will launch a sustained campaign to sensitise the voters about the importance of these elections in the socio-economic development at the grassroots level," the spokesperson of SAC told news agency PTI.

The panchayat polls are considered to boost confidence among the Kashmiri populace in the Indian union, with adequate funds provided right up to the district and taluka levels by the Centre.

The last panchayat elections in the state were conducted in 2011. Although fresh polls were to be conducted in 2016, the disturbed condition of the state, prevented the government to hold the elections to the local bodies.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 31, 2018 10:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).