51.76% voter turnout recorded in first phase of DDC polls

SEC PROHIBITS EXIT POLLS BEFORE CONCLUSION OF DDC ELECTIONS

29/11/2020
image



JAMMU, Nov 28: In the first electoral exercise in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, nearly 52 percent turnout was recorded on Saturday in the maiden District Development Council (DDC) polls.
The first round of polling on Saturday in the eight-phase DDC election passed off peacefully, except for a minor incident of stone-pelting in Kulgam.
State Election Comm-issioner K K Sharma told reporters that 51.76 percent of the 700,842 eligible voters exercised their franchise during the voting which began at 7.00 AM and ended at 2.00 PM.
Reasi in Jammu recorded the highest voter turnout of 74.62 percent while militancy-infested Pulwama witnessed the least voter participation at 6.7 percent.
Sharma said the voting was peaceful across the Union territory, barring one incident of stone-pelting that took place in Kulgam district of South Kashmir.
In the first phase of the DDC elections, voting was held in 43 constituencies, including 25 in Kashmir, and 1,475 candidates were in the fray, according to officials.
It is the first election since the Centre scrapped Article 370 that gave special status to J-K in August last year and bifurcated the state into UTs.
State Election Commissioner K.K Sharma, while addressing a press conference, informed that the first phase of District Development Council elections has been conducted successfully in UT of J&K that recorded 51.76% polling.
Polling has been by-and-large peaceful in 43 constituencies of DDC that went to polls today in which 3,62,766 voters including 1,93,375 males and 1,69,391 females out of 7,00,842 voters, voted to choose their representatives in their respective councils, the SEC maintained.
The SEC further informed that the Reasi District recorded the highest polling at 74.62 percent followed by Rajouri District at 70.52 percent and Poonch with 68.69% polling. In Kashmir Division, Budgam district recorded highest polling at 56.96 % with followed by Kupwara District at 50.74% and Ganderbal with around 48.62% polling.
Giving the district wise details about the DDC, the SEC informed that in Kashmir Division, the polling percentage recorded in Bandipora was 43.57%, Baramulla 32.51%, Srinagar 33.76%, Pulwama 6.70%, Shopian 42.58%, Kulgam 34.35%, Anantnag 43.32% voters casted their votes.
Similarly, in Jammu division Kishtwar has voting percentage of 55.16%, Doda 64.49%, Ramban 64.21%, Udhampur 57.13%, Kathua 62.82%, Samba 68.61% and Jammu 61.49% people exercise their right to franchise during first phase of elections.
The SEC further said that large numbers of people have come out to cast their votes during first phase of District Development Council Elections 2020 and Panch/Sarpanch By-polls. Long queues can be seen despite of severe cold conditions in Kashmir Division and hilly areas of Jammu Division, he added.
The SEC said that the DDC elections will play a decisive role towards development at a grass root level. He informed that the polling went peaceful and smooth across the region. He appreciated every stakeholder for their tireless efforts for the successful conduct of the polling process. Adequate security personals were deployed at all polling stations to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls, he said.
The SEC further informed that arrangements regarding second phase of elections have been put in place which is going to be held in 43 constituencies including 25 in Kashmir division and 18 in Jammu division.
State Election Commission, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has prohibited the conduct of any exit poll and publishing/displaying of the result of exit poll by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner in the ongoing District development Council Elections till the last phase of the elections.
In this regard, an order issued by State Election Commissioner, KK Sharma read, "In exercise of powers conferred under Section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989, the Election Authority (State Election Commission) hereby prohibits the conduct of any exit poll and publishing or publicizing/displaying the result of exit poll by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner in the ongoing District development Council Elections in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, till the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in the last phase of these elections, i.e. 2:00 PM on 19th December'.

Share This Story


Comment On This Story

 

Photo Gallery

  
BSE Sensex
NSE Nifty