DDC polls: Last phase tomorrow, 28 constituencies to witness polling; 168 candidates in fray: SEC K K Sharma

Srinagar, Dec 18: State Election Commissioner (SEC) K K Sharma Friday said that the last phase of District Development Council (DDC) polls will be held tomorrow in which 28 constituencies will go to polls with 168 candidates in fray.

For the eight-phase of DDC polls, which is the last phase as well, the SEC Sharma said that “advanced security measures” are in place given the sensitivity of the polling stations in Kashmir. Addressing a press conference here, the SEC Sharma said that tomorrow, there will be phase-8 of the DDC polls.

“In total, 28 constituencies will go to polls tomorrow of which 13 are in Kashmir and 28 in Jammu,” the SEC said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said that polling timings will remain from 7 am to 2 pm. “There are a total 168 candidates in fray for the last phase of which 83 are from Kashmir and 85 from Jammu,” the SEC said.

Sharma said that there are 640, 443 total voters eligible for the last phase of polling in J&K UT.

“In the DDC polls so far, the participation of people is very good despite the cold. Percentage of voting is impressive. This signifies how people want to evolve the democratic system in J&K,” the SEC said.

He said for the eighth-phase of DDC polls, there are 1703 total polling stations of which 1028 are in Kashmir and 675 in Jammu. “Of the total 1028 polling booths, 985 are hypersensitive and 43 are sensitive,” Sharma said, adding that in Jammu out of 675 polling stations, 93 are hypersensitive, 246 sensitive and remaining area normal.

“In Kashmir, we have taken a review of security for the polling stations in Kashmir. DGP (Dilbagh Singh) is in Kashmir and this time there are advanced security measures in place for the smooth polling tomorrow,” said Sharma. He said that polling parties have reached their respective places.

The SEC said that in a few cases, inquiries have been ordered and if there is any irregularity, re-polling can be ordered. “That would only take place when final inquiry report comes,” he said—(KNO)