J&K: Housing and Urban Affairs dept gearing up for ULB elections

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir: Department of Housing and Urban Development is going to submit a written request to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) asking him to revise the electoral rolls. The UT government will also conduct delimitation of wards in urban areas before the revelation of the election schedule for the urban local bodies (ULBs). 

Jammu and Kashmir Government has designated Anil Koul, Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development as the nodal officer for the upcoming municipal elections in the union territory. As per the department’s order, the nodal officer is to collaborate with the Chief Electoral Officer, all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, Director, and Urban Local Bodies to request a revision of the electoral rolls of the municipal areas. Also, he will be responsible for taking the call on inclusion and exclusion of wards in consultations with the respective municipal corporations and municipalities.

Apart from that, the government has also directed the Director and Secretary of ULBs in the state to act as liaison officer and provide all sorts of assistance and support to ensure that the municipal election 2023, take place smoothly.

There are 19 Municipal Councils and 57 Municipal Committees in Jammu and Kashmir. The last ULB elections took place in October 2018, before which the union territory was under the Governor’s rule.