Srinagar, Jan 26: The election for the offices of chairpersons of district development councils (DDCs) in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory is likely to take place next month, sources disclosed.

Highly placed sources revealed that proposal for the reservation of offices of DDC chairpersons is expected to be finalized in the first week of February. “The State Election Commission is expected to come up with the final proposal in the first week of February after considering objections, if any, to draft reservation of offices of chairpersons of DDCs ,” they said, adding that elections would be held within 20 days after the SEC comes up with the final order on the reservations.

Going by the rules governing election for the posts of DDC chairpersons, the deputy commissioner concerned shall call a meeting of all elected members to elect one of its members to be chairperson of DDC and another to be vice-chairperson of DDC.

If the number of candidates for these posts is more than one, then election will take place through secret ballot.

The State Election Commission on Monday unveiled a draft proposal for reservation of offices of chairpersons of DDCs.

According to the proposal, posts of DDC chairpersons of Ganderbal, Shopian, Ramban and Kishtwar have been reserved for women, while Poonch has been kept exclusively for women from Schedule Tribe(ST) Category.

Similarly, offices of chairpersons of Anantnag and Rajouri have been reserved for STs while Jammu and Udhmapur seats have been reserved for SCs.

As per the SEC’s order, objections, if any, to the draft reservation of the offices of the chairperson shall be submit to the body by January 30, 2021—(KNO)