Srinagar, Dec 12: State Election Commissioner (SEC) K K Sharma Saturday said that over seven lakh people are eligible for voting for the sixth phase of ensuing District Development Council (DDC) polls slated for tomorrow while as in Kashmir 1208 polling booths are hypersensitive for which adequate security measures are in place.

Addressing a press conference at Jammu, the SEC said that all the arrangements for the sixth phase of DDC polls are in place for tomorrow. “Poling material has already been stationed at the polling stations and today polling parties and security personnel have reached their respective places for ensuring smooth, free and fair elections,” he said.

He said in total, 31 DDC constituencies are going to polls tomorrow of which 14 are in Kashmir and 17 in Jammu. “In Srinagar, all the DDC constituencies have been covered and there are no pending elections in anywhere in Srinagar district,” he said.

He said that 245 candidates are in fray for 31 DDC seats. “121 candidates in fray for 17 Jammu constituencies and 124 for 14 constituencies in Kashmir. Of total 245 candidates in fray, 145 are male and 100 are females,” Sharma said.

He said that in J&K, there are 2071 polling stations of which 1047 have been categorized as hypersensitive in Kashmir for which all the security arrangements are in place.

“Police parties, and the additional Central forces have reached their respective areas to ensure free, fair and smooth elections,” he said. Sharma said that it was good to see the large number of elderly voters turning to the polling booths to cast their votes. “I appeal all the electors who are eligible to cast their votes tomorrow, to exercise their franchise without any fear,” he said and urged the voters to followed Covid-19 guidelines that includes wearing of face mask and using sanitizers at the polling booths—(KNO).