Srinagar, Dec 6 (IANS) Polls to various municipal corporations and committees in Jammu and Kashmir would be held March 2012, a minister announced Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home and Urban Development Nasir Aslam Wani said the forthcoming municipal elections would be held on party basis unlike the earlier panchayat polls held on non-party basis with contestants joining the fray as individuals and not as representatives of any political party.

The civic polls would be held for the two municipal corporations of Jammu and Srinagar and all municipal committees of the state.

The minister said the notification for the municipal polls would be issued only after the state cabinet’s approval.

He said seats have been increased from 68 to 75 for Srinagar Municipal Corporation and from 72 to 75 for the Jammu Municipal Corporation.

‘Population in both the cities has increased in the last few years. So seats had to be enhanced accordingly,’ he added.

Wani said he hoped people would participate in the municipal elections in large numbers.