J&K: Polling held in two DDC constituencies

Voting began for two District Development Council (DDC) constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday at 7 a.m.: Hajin-A in Bandipora and Drugmulla in Kupwara.

Election authorities ordered a re-poll in these two constituencies owing to contested candidate qualifications, according to officials. There were 42 polling booths in Drugmulla and 57 in Hajin where voters could cast their ballots.

According to a representative of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations Jammu and Kashmir, Hajin-A DDC seat reported a percentage of 34.43 up until 11 a.m., and Drugmulla recorded 15.74 percent.

Candidates from the National Conference and the People’s Conference are in a tight race for the Hajin seat. These candidates in the segment are also supported by other political parties such as the Apni Party, the BJP, and the Democratic Azad.

A total of 32,000 voters from 30 panchayats will decide the fate of the 10 candidates running for the Drugmulla seat.

The Election Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir appealed to voters to come out and vote in large numbers. “I appeal to voters to cast their votes without any fear and strengthen the democratic process by participating in large numbers,” Kewal Kumar Sharma said.

In order to ensure fair and transparent voting, a practise poll was held at each polling location prior to the real election.

Following complaints regarding the nationalities of Somia Sadaf and Shazia Begum—both residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—the State Election Commission (SEC) declared the elections for both District Development Council (DDC) seats in 2020 as “disputed.”