DDC Polls: Phase-IV records 50.08 per cent polling in J&K

SRINAGAR — State Election Commissioner (SEC), K K Sharma on Monday said that the fourth phase of ensuing District Development Council (DDC) polls in J&K recorded 50.08 per cent voting while no untoward incident was reported anywhere in the UT.

Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Sharma said that 1916 polling stations were set up for the phase-4 of the DDC polls across J&K and that 364527 voters exercised their right to vote.

“People in large numbers came out to vote in J&K. In total, 34 constituencies went to polls— 17 each in Kashmir and Jammu,” Sharma said.

He said that phase one of the DDC polls recorded 50.3 per cent voting, second phase witnessed 48.02 per cent voting. “Today in Jammu region, Poonch district of Jammu topped in the voting percentage at 70.42 while in Kashmir Ganderbal district topped with the total polling percentage at 56.28,” the SEC said.

He said that there is no lack of nomination for the DDC polls across J&K. “Each district has 14 DDCs. There may be some vacant seats in Panchayat polls and for that elections will be held once the Chilla-e-Kalaan (40 day-harsh Winter period) starting from December 21,” he said.

The SEC said that it was for the first time that democracy was getting deeper in J&K as a UT.

Meanwhile, a number of voters in Puchal village of Pulwama were seen visiting the polling centre to cast their vote.

Syed Bari Andrabi, who is the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate from Awantipora-I constituency, said that people should vote to express their opinion.

While talking to The Kashmir Pulse, he said that most of the people are against the abrogation of Article 370 and this will definitely impact the voters’ preferences.