DDC polls Phase-II: 40.31% polling till 1:00 PM; Pulwama only place still in single-digit

The second phase of maiden District Development Council (DDC) elections that began on Tuesday morning recorded a voter percentage of 40.31% across different constituencies spread over all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir till 1:00 PM.

According to the figures accessed by Kashmir Bylines from the office of State Election Commissioner, in Kashmir Division, up to 1:00 PM, Kupwara has recorded a voting percentage of 34.44%, Bandipora 60.99%, Baramulla 24.69%, Ganderbal 39.05%, Srinagar 28.41%, Budgam 37.72%, Pulwama 6.96%, Shopian 13.08%, Kulgam 24.34% and Anantnag 28.13%.

In Jammu division, Kishtwar has recorded a voting percentage of 50.47%, Doda 55.82%, Ramban 57.31%, Reasi 53.67%, Udhampur 45.31%, Kathua 50.71%, Samba 57.42%, Jammu 61.10%, Rajouri 53.27% and Poonch 59.90% up to 1:00 PM.

Kashmir division recorded a polling percentage of 27.84% and Jammu division has 54.10% voter turnout. Overall, 40.31% of voters have cast their votes up to 1:00 PM.

As many as 321 candidates are in the fray in the second phase of the DDC polls and voting is taking place at 2,142 polling booths. As many as 7.90 lakh voters are 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 are going to polls in the union territory in the second phase – 25 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu division.

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

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

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