DDC elections: Voters come out despite cold, over 23% turnout till 11 am

The people in Jammu and Kashmir are braving cold to come out in large numbers to vote in the second phase of District Development Council (DDC) election.

As per the data available till 11 am, 23.67 per cent turnout has been recorded so far in DDC polls.

Long queues can be seen in Kashmir Division and hilly areas of Jammu division.

Forty three constituencies are going under polling in the second phase of DDC elections. These include 25 seats in the Kashmir division and 18 in Jammu.

As per the figures given by the office of State Election Commissioner, in Kashmir Division, Kupwara has recorded voting percentage of 16%, Bandipora 39.89%, Baramulla 14.45%, Ganderbal 15.65%, Srinagar 18.26%, Budgam 25.29%, Pulwama 6.08333 %, Shopian 3.95%, Kulgam 14.37% and Anantnag 15.56% till 11 am.

Similarly, in Jammu division, Kishtwar has recorded voting percentage of 28.47%, Doda 35.86%, Ramban 24.75%, Reasi 32.27%, Udhampur 26.39%, Kathua 29.75%, Samba 38.34%, Jammu 39.65 %, Rajouri 32.09% and Poonch 38.42% till 11 am.

The polling began at 7 am and will continue till 2 pm.

There are a total of 321 candidates in the electoral fray - 196 from the Kashmir Division and 125 from Jammu.

Out of 7,95,118 voters, 3,88,273 are from Jammu Division and 4,06,845 are from Kashmir. Kashmir Division has 2,12,024 male voters and 1,94,821 women, whereas Jammu has 2,04,721 male electors and 1,83,553 female voters.

The sarpanch bypolls are being conducted in 83 constituencies and total 223 (151 male and 72 female) candidates are in the fray. The panch bypolls are being held in 331 constituencies with 709 candidates (552 males and 157 females) in the fray.

There are 2,142 polling stations - 837 in the Jammu Division and 1,305 in Kashmir.