Jammu And Kashmir Votes For First Phase Of DDC Elections, First Election After Losing Special Status

Jammu And Kashmir Votes For First Phase Of DDC Elections, First Election After Losing Special Status

New Delhi: In Jammu and Kashmir polling began today for the Distrcit Development Council elections, the first since the former state was reorganized as the Union Territory last year. Due to the cold weather, the turnout was low as voting began at 7 am, said officials.

However, it is expected to increase with the temperature through the day, told officials to PTI.

On Thursday campaigning for the first phase came to end, with elaborate arrangements having been made for the smooth conduct of the democratic exercise, especially in view of the coronavirus pandemic, said the officials.

Up to 1,475 candidates are in the fray in the first of the eight phases, reported PTI. The elections itself is being viewed as the triangular contest between the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), the BJP, and the Apni Party floated by former finance minister Altaf Bukhari.

In the Union Territory there are 280 DDC seats,140 each in Jammu and Kashmir regions, said officials.

A total of 2,644 polling stations have been set up for 7,03,620 electors for phase I, the officials said. Voting was to take place from 7 am to 2 pm.

State Election Commissioner KK Sharma has said that all necessary COVID protocols have been put in place to ensure safe polls.

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