National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Friday welcomed the Election Commission's decision to advance assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that the central rule will end in the Union Territory. According to the dates announced by the EC, starting from September 18, the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases. The second phase will be held on September 25 and the third and final phase on October 1. Results for the assembly polls in both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir will be announced on October 4. "Today, I thank God that they are deciding it. Earlier, people were saying that they would decide it between the 20th and 25th. I am happy that they have preponed it (sic)," Abdullah told PTI here. He further said the country celebrated India's Independence on Thursday, and on Friday they are hopeful of getting rid of the central government's rule in Jammu and Kashmir. Replying to a question about the party's readiness for the elections, he said,