Srinagar: The State Election Commissioner (SEC) K K Sharma on Saturday said that nearly 51 percent voting was recorded in the final phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections held across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference here, the SEC said that polling was peaceful in all the 28 DDC constituencies which went to polls today including 13 in Kashmir division and 15 in Jammu division, and which recorded 50.98 percent polling.
The SEC informed that polling was held in 1703 polling stations including 1028 in Kashmir division and 675 in Jammu division.
SEC informed that Jammu division recorded an average voter turnout of 72.71 percent with Poonch district recording the highest percentage of 83.58 percent followed by Reasi district with 81.92 percent and Rajouri with 77.31 percent.
The Kashmir division recorded 29.91 percent average voter turnout with Kupwara district recording the highest polling at 63.80 percent followed by Bandipora with 56.56 percent and Baramulla district recorded 44.60 percent polling, he added.
Giving district-wise details, the SEC informed that in Kashmir division the polling percentage recorded in Budgam was 35.12 percent, Anantnag 8.66 percent, Kulgam 11.20 percent, Pulwama 8.50 percent and 8.58 percent polling was registered in Shopian.
Similarly, in Jammu division poll percentage of 73.65 percent was recorded in Samba, 73.93 percent in Kathua, 73.42 percent in Ramban, 73.45 percent in Kishtwar, 60.49 percent in Udhampur, 70.33 percent in Doda and 69.39 percent in Jammu district.
The SEC said that the elections were held to 280 DDC constituencies for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is very promising to note that a very good participation of people was observed and enthusiasm among the people was palpable as these elections are going to have a huge impact on the developmental scenario in the rural community,” Sharma said.
He said 1088 Panchayat Halqas and 12153 Panch constituencies also went to polls today.
He informed that 321694 (169271 male and 152423 female) people exercised their right to franchise for the final phase across the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
The SEC also informed that re-polling was ordered after contesting candidates from several political parties, other candidates and voters complained about unlawful activities during polling at some polling stations of Mendhar and Shopian DDC constituencies. There were also attempts to create ruckus at some polling stations.
Giving further details, the SEC informed that the re-polling has been done at four polling stations of Poshana (Bufliaz DDC constituency) today.
He said that the same would be done in two polling stations of 17-PS Hajama and 32-MS Gallian (Mendhar-A DDC constituency), two polling stations of 29-Sakhimaidan and 30-GMS Sakhimaidan (Mendhar-B DDC constituency) besides at two polling stations of Balpora (DDC constituency Shopian-II) on 21st December.
He further added that the poll timing would be 7 am to 2 pm whereas the counting shall be done on December 22, 2020 along with the rest of the DDC constituencies as per the schedule already notified by the election authority.
The SEC also thanked the administration, Health department, security forces, J&K Police, political parties, contesting candidates and media for “helping to conduct peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections.”
He said the administration has played a pivotal role in making the elections a success as they have actually made it happen.
In Kashmir, the government officials braved the chilling cold to ensure that democratic process comes out successful, Sharma said.
While appreciating the role of the Health department, the SEC said that department had made “foolproof” arrangements for implementing the COVID guidelines in and outside the polling stations.
He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir “overwhelmingly participated in the election process thus reposing their faith in democracy and democratic process.”
He also said that counting of votes for Sarpanch and Panch constituencies which went to polls in the eighth phase is being conducted.
