<span style="color: #222222;">In Jammu and Kashmir, Panchayat By-Polls have been deferred owing to security reasons and the unwillingness of regional political parties. The by-polls were earlier scheduled to be held in eight phases from 5th to 20th of March. However, the new schedule has not been declared as yet.<br />'' <br />''Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shailendra Kumar had a meeting with political parties in Jammu to hear their concerns yesterday. CEO Shailendra Kumar- the Election Authority for the conduct of Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir announced the postponement of by-polls for 12,650 seats of Sarpanchs and Panchs, for two to three weeks in view of security and law and order issues.  Mr Kumar said that the by-polls, which were announced on 13th of this month, have been deferred after receiving inputs from the Home Department.<br />'' <br />'' </span><br />