The newest Union Territory of India is undergoing the second phase of the District Development Council (DDC) polls. 43 constituencies- 25 from Kashmir and 18 from the Jammu division are going up for polls on Tuesday up to 2pm. An official informed that a total of 321 candidates are in the whole election fray. While 196 are from the Kashmir division, 125 are from Jammu division.
The polling had started around 7:00 am in the morning amidst chilly wintry weather. Initially, only few turned up for voting at the election booths but the number increased rapidly as temperature rose. Men and women waited in long queues to cast their votes.
“The Kashmir division recorded overall polling of 15.64%, while Jammu division recorded 32.54% up to 11:00 am,” the officials said. Along with that, 331 Sarpanch constituencies are having by-polls on the same day as well. State Election Commissioner, KK Sharma told that additional security has been provided and all the important places have been secured. 23.67% voters turnout was recorded till afternoon.
The office of the State Election Commissioner provided figures of the voting percentages. Interestingly, special polling booths have been set up by the election officials for the Kashmiri migrants at Jammu and Udhampur. The West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) also took part in the election for the first time.
