Srinagar: Voting has begun for the second phase of the District Development Council (DDC) in Jammu and Kashmir amid severe cold and strong security arrangements. Giving information, an official has told, voting started at seven in the morning. According to preliminary information, very few people have reached polling booths in the morning due to cold.

The official said that the possibility of an increase in voting is expected. There are 321 candidates fielded for the second phase of DDC elections and 2,142 polling stations have been set up for 7.90 lakh voters registered in this phase. Jammu and Kashmir has 280 seats, of which votes are being cast in 43 in the second phase. Of these 25 are in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu. Elections are going on for 83 sarpanch posts in the Union Territory, for which 223 candidates are trying their luck.

With this, by-elections are being held for 331 panch posts, for which more than 700 candidates are fileded in the election. The administration has declared all 1,300 polling stations in the valley sensitive. Jammu and Kashmir Election Commissioner K.K. K. Sharma said on Monday, 'Almost all polling stations in Kashmir are sensitive from the security point of view. Additional security has been provided at polling stations in the valley.'

Also Read:

UK hopes for coronavirus vaccines before Christmas

Farmers are protesting, 'lie giving speeches on TV: Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi

French police officers charged over black man's beating