J&K records 51.7% voting in Phase-I DDC polls, 40.65% in Kashmir, 64.2% in Jammu

Jammu: State Election Commissioner (SEC) K K Sharma Saturday said that amid COVID-19 pandemic and bone-chilling cold in Kashmir and some parts of Jammu, a large number of people participated in the maiden District Development Council (DDC) polls and 51.7 per cent voting was recorded for the first phase on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference in Jammu, SEC Sharma said that barring a small incident of stone pelting in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, election process for the phase-1 of DDC polls was completed peacefully.

“There was a small incident of stone pelting (at Kulgam). Police have already taken cognizance of the incident,” he said.

Sharma said that 43 DDC constituencies went to polls where 7 lakh voters were registered.

Total percentage of voting for J&K UT was 51.7%.

In Jammu, voting per cent was 64.2 per cent and in Kashmir, 40.65 per cent voting was recorded, he said.

In Jammu, highest turnout of 74.6% was recorded in Reasi 74.6, with 70.5% in Rajouri, 68.9% in Poonch and 68% in Samba.

“In South Kashmir, highest voting was recorded in Shopian at 42.58 per cent,” Sharma said.

In the phase one, 43 constituencies went for poll in J&K of which 25 were in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu, he said.

He said the first phase recorded large participation of people and most of the voting took place between 7 AM to 8 AM.

“Out of the 362000 votes polled, 193000 were male and 169000 were females,” Sharma said.

The SEC congratulated all the candidates including those who fought independently in the DDC poll. (KNO)