• Polling for District Development Council in Jammu Kashmir is going on
  • It involves 43 constituencies, 25 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu
  • First Electoral exercise after centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A.

Srinagar: Kashmir’s first phases of District Development Council (DDC) elections are underway with tight security all around in 25 constituencies. Panchaya (368 seats) and Sarpanch (94 constituencies) polls are also taking place in eight-phased elections. For the first time in recent years there was no call to boycott elections by separatists.

Gupkar allaince

Polling for eight phases will end on Dec 19th and counting will be on Dec 22nd. Along with national parties BJP, Congress, PDP, People’s conference, CPI(M) which formed People’s alliance for Gupkar alliance(PAGD) are also in the race. The Gupkar alliance include CPI-M, People’s Conference, Awami National Conference, CPI and the People’s Movement. The Congress said it is not part of the alliance but it would have seat adjustment with the group.

The significance of this polls are, it is for the first time that elections are being held after centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A. A long  queue with women standing in cold weather was witnessed along North Kashmir. Polling started at 7 am and  ended  by 2pm for the first phase. Postal Ballot papers are provided for Covid patients, senior citizens and physically unwell patients. Elaborate security arrangements were made for the elections along the border.

 

Courtesy : https://www.primepost.in/jammu-kashmir-ddc-elections-first-phase-underway/

(This Article has been reposted with permission from Primepost)