JK National Conference welcomes EC's decision

Srinagar, Oct 19: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference welcomed the Election Commission's decision to hold elections in the state from November 17. Senior Party leader Dr Mehboob Beigh said though the party believes steps have to be taken to resolve the Kashmir issue, but a democratic government is always better than the Governor's rule.

Hailing the decision, BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said that the party would contest both from Kashmir and Jammu regions.

Congress has already made it clear that it will go with the decision of the EC.

Earlier, the EC announced that seven-phase polling would be held for 87 Assembly seats.

Addressing a press conference here, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy said, "The Commission has decided that elections will be held in seven phases in J and K and first phase will begin on November 17."

The second phase of elections will be held on November 23 and third phase will take place on November 30.

The fourth phase of polling will take place on December 7 while the fifth, sixth and seventh phases will be held on December 13, 17 and 24 respectively.

Counting of votes will be held on December 28.

There are 8, 109 polling stations in the state.

ANI