DDC polls: Kashmiris brave chilly weather to cast their votes 

Kashmir Division recorded an overall polling percentage of 26.28 per cent while Jammu Division recorded 56.90 per cent upto 1300 hrs on Sunday.

The highest voter turnout of 63.07 per cent was witnessed in Rajouri while the lowest polling was recorded in Shopian at 3.66 per cent.

An official spokesperson said that in Kashmir Division, Pulwama has recorded voting percentage of 6.80 per cent, Baramulla 26.68 per cent, Kulgam 32.71 per cent, Shopian 3.66 per cent, Anantnag 20.95 per cent, Bandipora 40.57 per cent, Ganderbal 45.89 per cent, Kupwara 41.21 per cent and Budgam 27.44 per cent till 1300 hrs.

Similarly, he said in Jammu division, Udhampur has recorded voting percentage of 54.69 per cent, Jammu 55.62 per cent, Kathua 50.09 per cent, Ramban 61.91 per cent, Doda 53.39 per cent, Samba 60.61 per cent, Poonch 60.73 per cent, Rajouri 63.07 per cent and Reasi 61.21 per cent.

He said in the sixth Phase of DDC elections, voting is underway in 31 DDC constituencies, including 14 from Kashmir division and 17 from Jammu division. 

“Polling is also underway in 334 Panch and 77 Sarpanch seats across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He said that there are 124 candidates, including 47 women, contesting in 14 DDC constituencies of Kashmir division. 

“In Jammu division, there are 121 candidates, including 53 women, in fray for the 17 DDC constituencies in this phase,” he added.

He said 748301 electors, including 357869 female voters, are going to elect their representatives in all 31 DDC constituencies, adding that a total of 2071 polling stations have been designated with 1208 in Kashmir division and 863 in Jammu division.

He further informed that out of 127 Sarpanch vacancies notified in the 6th phase, 37 have been elected unopposed.

“There shall be a contest in 77 constituencies and 229 candidates including 65 females are in fray,” he added.

Similarly, he said that out of the total 1548 Panch vacancies notified in this phase, 334 constituencies will go for elections with 740 candidates, including 180 women, contesting the elections.

He said that all the requisite arrangements for this phase are in place including man power, election material and security arrangements in all poll going areas.

While referring to the arrangements in place in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure safety of all stakeholders including the voters coming to vote at the polling stations. 

He further said that sanitizers, thermal scanners and face masks have been arranged at the polling stations to ensure that SOPs issued by the concerned authorities, including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing, are strictly followed at the polling stations.

Police were even seen helping old people reach the polling booth to cast their votes.

One such person is 76-year-old Gulzar Hussain.He was assisted by the police to reach a polling booth at  Nar-Durian in Poonch district of Jammu division to cast his vote.