DDC Elections Results: Counting of votes for 280 DDC seats today, 20 leaders in custody

The counting of votes for the 280 seats of District Development Council (DDC) in Jammu and Kashmir will be held today. State Election Commission officials said that a total of 4,181 candidates, including more than 450 women candidates, are in the fray in these elections held in eight phases in the union territory.

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The first phase was voted on 28 November and the eighth and last phase was held on 19 December. In all, 51 percent of the 57 lakh eligible voters exercised their franchise in these peacefully concluded elections.

Seven political parties of Kashmir-centric mainstream had secretly contested under the banner of the Manifesto Alliance (PAGD). These parties also include the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party. All necessary arrangements for counting of votes have been made and counting of votes will begin in all the 20 districts of the union territory from 9 am.

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State Election Commissioner KK Sharma on Sunday reviewed the preparations and other arrangements for the counting process. Sharma said, 'The Election Officer will be in charge of the counting process for each DDC constituency. To ensure transparency, the entire counting process will be monitored and video recording will be done.

At least 20 leaders detained in Jammu and Kashmir On Monday, a day before the counting of the District Development Council (DDC) election in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities detained at least 20 political leaders as a precautionary measure. It also includes three senior officials of the People's Democratic Party. 

Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, termed the detention of her party leaders as 'goonda raj' and accused the BJP of 'conspiring to tamper with the results'.

Authorities said the administration has detained 20 leaders during the day as a precautionary measure, including PDP's Sartaj Madani, Mansoor Hussain and Naeem Akhtar. Officials said that similar steps are being taken against mainstream leaders in other districts of Kashmir Valley. 

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Mehbooba Mufti said in a tweet, 'The law is being completely ripped off and PDP's Sartaj Madni, Mansoor Hussain was arbitrarily detained today on the eve of the DDC election result. Every senior officer here is not even aware of this because 'this is an order from above. In Jammu and Kashmir, there is no rule of law. This is completely Gunda Raj.

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