Despite pandemic and chilly winter days, many people braved all these odds to cast their votes in the third phase of the District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
In district Ganderbad, a decent number of people were seen casting their votes. However, there were reports of abysmal attendance in the polling stations of South Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts.
Over 43 per cent polling was recorded till 1 pm in the third phase of DDC elections 2020 in Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the figures given by the office of State Election Commissioner, in Kashmir Division, Kupwara has recorded a voting percentage of 29.87%, Bandipora 51.96%, Baramulla 28%, Ganderbal 19.15%, Budgam 45.25%, Pulwama 9.31%, Shopian 18.15%, Kulgam 58.76% and Anantnag 13.11% till 1 pm.
Similarly, in the Jammu division, Kishtwar has recorded a voting percentage of 57.26%, Doda 50.49%, Ramban 58.10%, Reasi 62.37%, Kathua 53.60%, Samba 60.21%, Jammu 57.96%, Rajouri 64.48% and Poonch 83.07%.
Moreover, it was informed that the Kashmir Division recorded an overall polling percentage of 25% while the Jammu Division recorded 60.52% up to 1 pm.
In phase 3rd of DDC elections, voting is being conducted in 33 constituencies, including 16 from Kashmir Division and 17 from Jammu division, for which 2046 polling stations including 792 in Jammu division and 1254 in Kashmir division have been set up for the conduct of elections.
Meanwhile, a DDC Candidate was shot at and injured by unknown gunmen in Kokernag village of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the injured was immediately rushed to the hospital where his condition is said to be critical.
He was later identified by the officials as Anees Ul Islam and has recently joined Altaf Bukhari led Apni Party. He was contesting the ongoing DDC elections from Sogam Block Constituency Kokernag.