S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
Kupwara, Dec 7: Despite biting cold, brisk polling was witnessed for the fourth phase of DDC and Panchayat by- elections in north Kashmir on Monday.
According to official figures, the Kashmir division recorded 31.95 % average voter turnout with Ganderbal district recording the highest polling at 56.28 % followed by Baramulla District at 47.43% and Bandipora with around 45.22% polling and in Kupwara was 44.35%.
In two DDC constituencies of Baramulla district, Boniyar 56.31% and in Narwaw 35.77% was recorded for the fourth phase of DDC election 2020.
The polling for 34 DDC seats 17 in Kashmir division began at 7 am and people were seen at different polling booths in the early morning despite braving harsh cold, as was already predicted of rain and snow by the meteorological department in Kashmir valley.
Despite the cold weather, there was a brisk polling as men and women were queued up outside polling booths in Bandipora in huge numbers, as according to the locals these polls meant a lot for them as it affirms their faith in democracy.
Bashir Ahmad from Sumbal Sonawari said that, people expect the government of the day to accept the verdict and listen to the political and development demands of the people of Kashmir and do the needful.
However sources said that there are 138 candidates, including 48 women, are in the fray in the Kashmir division, including 83 candidates are in fray in Aloosa constituency in Bandipora district.
It was also learnt from sources that five candidates are contesting on two vacant Sarpanch seats in the block and 71 candidates are fighting for 31 Panch seats.
However, 21 Panchs were elected unopposed while three Panch seats are vacant in Bandipora Aloosa.
15961 voters were registered to exercise their franchise including 8367 Male voters and 7594 female voters at 42 polling stations of Aloosa, DDC constituency.
Notably, by-elections to vacant panch and sarpanch seats in the Union Territory are also being held along with the DDC polls.
A huge gathering of people who had come to vote for their representatives in Kupwara DDC constituencies of Drugmulla and Mawar Qalamabad said that, their areas have been ignored by the previous governments due to political differences and we are facing the burnt.
“DDC election means a lot for us, as no development has taken place in the last 20 years, the politicians have made us fool for their power, but this time we need to elect the representatives who could work for our constituency, Shaheena Akhter from Drugmulla told early times. |
