Today was the day of polling for the sixth phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir. In this election, more than 7.48 lakh voters in 31 DDC constituencies were to cast their votes, in the first-ever DDC polls in J&K.

The 31 constituencies which went for the polls included 17 in the Jammu region and 14 in the Kashmir valley.

Braving the cold weather conditions, voters arrived at a polling booth in RS Pura. Necessary protocols in the context of the coronavirus pandemic were followed at the booth, including temperature checks and social distancing. The Voter turnout was recorded at above 51%.

Around 7,48,301 electors, including 3,90,432 male and 3,57,869 female voters, were to decide the fate of 124 candidates in the Kashmir division for 14 seats, and 121 in the Jammu division for 17 seats. 334 Panch and 77 Sarpanch seats also witnessed voting across the union territory.

State Election Commissioner (SEC), KK Sharma said at a press conference here, that a total of 2,071 polling stations had been designated with 1,208 in the Kashmir division and 863 in the Jammu division.

One of the highlights of the sixth phase was that, braving winter, Ganeru Devi, a 100-year-old woman had come to vote at the DDC election in the Doda district held on Sunday.

Of 127 sarpanch vacancies notified in the sixth phase, 37 had been elected unopposed. The contest was in 77 constituencies and 229 candidates including 65 females are in the fray.

Out of the total 1,548 panch vacancies notified in this phase, 334 constituencies went for elections with 740 candidates contesting the elections including 180 female candidates.

All necessary arrangements including election material, security arrangements, and manpower had been put in poll-going areas.

Arrangements had also been put in place to ensure the safety of all stakeholders including the voters coming to vote at the polling stations in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.