Srinagar: The election for the first phase of the District Development Council (DDC) in Jammu and Kashmir was completed peacefully on Saturday. Voting started from 7 am to 2 pm. In the first phase, 39.34 percent polling has been recorded till 1 pm. The first phase saw voting in 43 seats, including 18 in Jammu and 25 in Kashmir. With this, voting was held for the Panchayat by-election. In the first phase, 296 candidates are fielded. Security for the DDC elections was also greatly strengthened.

Voting is being held for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir for the DDC elections. After the repeal of Section 370 last year, the DDC election is the biggest political activity held in Jammu and Kashmir. Last year, the Indian government snatched the status of a special state from Jammu and Kashmir and made it a union territory. District Development Council elections will be held in eight phases from 28 November to 22 December. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has adopted the Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 in October this year.

Each district of Jammu and Kashmir will now have a District Development Council, which will have jurisdiction over the entire district except the municipality. Through this election, DDC will be formed in a total of 20 districts including 10 in Jammu and 10 in Kashmir Valley. There will be 14 constituencies in each district. In this way, people will select representatives of DDC through these elections for a total of 280 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read:

Veteran leader Suvendu Adhikari leaves TMC, will join BJP?

Hyderabad election: Disputed statement of Akbaruddin, says 'Won't fear Yogi nor Chai Wale'

Hyderabad Election: Case registers against Akbaruddin Owaisi for making inflammatory speech