Dynamite News J&K: Braving cold, voters turn out in large numbers for 5th phase of DDC polls
Braving the cold weather conditions, voters arrived at a polling station in Udhampur to exercise their voting rights during the fifth phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Udhampur: Braving the cold weather conditions, voters arrived at a polling station in Udhampur to exercise their voting rights during the fifth phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Serpentine queues were seen at various polling booths in Jammu and Kashmir including Udhampur, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Kupwara and other districts.
The DDC elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after the Centre amended the Jammu and Kasmir Panchayat Raj Act, 1989, after the revocation of Article 370 last year.
Also Read | 23.67 pc voting recorded till 11 am in 2nd phase of DDC elections in J-K
Voter Chowdery Mohammad Iqbal said, "We are happy to participate and cast our votes today. We are thankful to the government of India for conducting the most important election for the Union Territory."
In the Majalta DDC constituency, 33 polling stations have been established and 17,611 electors are eligible to cast their votes while in the Khoon DDC constituency, 34 polling stations have been established and 18,319 electors are eligible to cast their votes.
The DDC polls are being held amid tight security. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, arrangements have been made for the safety and security of the polling staff, candidates and voters. Sanitisers, masks and thermal scanners have been arranged at the polling booths.
Also Read | One held with over Rs 58,000 during DDC polls in J-K's Domana
In the first four phases, voter turnout had been impressive despite the pandemic and cold weather in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, the first phase of DDC elections on November 28 saw 51.76 per cent voter turnout while the second phase polls witnessed 48.62 per cent on December 1 and the third phase of DDC elections on December 4 registered voter turnout of 50.53 per cent.
The DDC election is being held in eight phases and will continue till December 19. The counting of votes will take place on December 22. The elections are the first being held after the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)