DDC polls: Amid Covid, bone chilling cold; J&K records 51.7% voting in first phase

State Election Commissioner (SEC) K K Sharma Saturday said that amid Covid-19 pandemic and bone chilling cold in Kashmir and some parts of Jammu, a large number of people participated in the first ever District Development Council (DDC) polls and 51.7 per cent voting was recorded for the phase one in J&K UT.

Addressing a press conference in Jammu, SEC Sharma said that barring small incident of stone pelting in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, election process for the phase-1 of DDC polls passed off peacefully. “There was a small incident of stone pelting (at Kulgam). Police have already taken cognizance of the incident,” he said.

Sharma said that 43 DDC constituencies went to polls where 7 lakh voters were registered. “Total per cent of voting for J&K UT was 51.7. In Jammu, voting per cent was 64.2 percent and in Kashmir, poll 40. 65 percent voting was recorded,” he said.

In Jammu, highest percentage of voting was recording in Reasi 74.6 percent with 70.5 per cent in Rajouri, 68.9 in Poonch and 68 per cent in Samba. “In South Kashmir, highest voting was recorded in Shopian at 42.58 per cent,” Sharma said as per KNO.

“In the phase one, 43 constituencies went for poll in J&K of which 25 were in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu,” the SEC said.

He said the first phase recorded large participation of people and most of the voting took place between 7 am to 8 am. “Out of the 362000 votes polled, 193000 were male and 169,000 were females,” Sharma said. The SEC, congratulated all the candidates including those who fought independently for taking part in the DDC polls.

Polling has been by-and-large peaceful in 43 constituencies of DDC that went to polls today in which 3,62,766 voters including 1,93,375 males and 1,69,391 females out of 7,00,842 voters, voted to choose their representatives in their respective councils, the SEC maintained.

The SEC further informed that the Reasi District recorded the highest polling at 74.62 percent followed by Rajouri District at 70.52 percent and Poonch with 68.69% polling. In Kashmir Division, Budgam district recorded highest polling at 56.96 % with followed by Kupwara District at 50.74% and Ganderbal with around 48.62% polling.

Giving the district wise details about the DDC, the SEC informed that in Kashmir Division, the polling percentage recorded in Bandipora was 43.57%, Baramulla 32.51%, Srinagar 33.76%, Pulwama 6.70%, Shopian 42.58%, Kulgam 34.35%, Anantnag 43.32% voters casted their votes.

Similarly, in Jammu division Kishtwar has voting percentage of 55.16%, Doda 64.49%, Ramban 64.21%, Udhampur 57.13%, Kathua 62.82%, Samba 68.61% and Jammu 61.49% people exercise their right to franchise during first phase of elections.

The SEC further said that large numbers of people have come out to cast their votes during first phase of District Development Council Elections 2020 and Panch/Sarpanch By-polls. Long queues can be seen despite of severe cold conditions in Kashmir Division and hilly areas of Jammu Division, he added.

The SEC said that the DDC elections will play a decisive role towards development at a grass root level. He informed that the polling went peaceful and smooth across the region. He appreciated every stakeholder for their tireless efforts for the successful conduct of the polling process. Adequate security personals were deployed at all polling stations to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls, he said.

The SEC further informed that arrangements regarding second phase of elections have been put in place which is going to be held in 43 constituencies including 25 in Kashmir division and 18 in Jammu division.

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