48.62% polling in DDC polls Phase-II, considerably low in south Kashmir, Pulwama okay with single-digit

The second phase of maiden District Development Council (DDC) elections on Tuesday recorded a voter percentage of 48.62% across different constituencies spread over all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Interestingly, Kashmir division voted almost half the percentage of votes polled in Jammu division.

Also significant is the fact that polling in south Kashmir remained low as compared to the northern districts.

Pulwama was the only district to stay with a single-digit figure of 8.67%.

According to the figures accessed by Kashmir Bylines from the office of State Election Commissioner, in Kashmir Division, Kupwara recorded a final voting percentage of 58.69%, Bandipora 69.66%, Baramulla 28.95%, Ganderbal 49.14%, Srinagar 33.78%, Budgam 43.51%, Pulwama 8.67%, Shopian 17.28%, Kulgam 29.90% and Anantnag 16.09%.

In Jammu division, Kishtwar recorded a final voting percentage of 61.64%, Doda 64.80%, Ramban 66.23%, Reasi 69.27%, Udhampur 62.51%, Kathua 60.10%, Samba 66.38%, Jammu 69.97%, Rajouri 60.21% and Poonch 75.07%.

Kashmir division recorded a polling percentage of 33.34% while Jammu division recorded a 65.54% voter turnout. Overall, 48.62% of voters cast their votes.

As many as 321 candidates were in the fray in the second phase of the DDC polls. Voting took place at 2,142 polling booths. As many as 7.90 lakh voters were eligible to vote in this phase of elections.

Out of the 280 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir (14 in each of the 20 districts), 43 went to polls in the second phase – 25 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu division.

Elections were also held in 83 sarpanch constituencies for which a total of 223 candidates were contesting in phase two.

Also, by-polls were held in 331 panch constituencies. Over 700 candidates were in the fray for these seats.

Authorities had declared all 1,300 polling stations in the valley as sensitive.