The DDC election and the panchayat by-polls are being held in eight phases in Jammu and Kashmir

Polling in the sixth phase of District Development Council (DDC) in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir came to an end on Sunday with around 42.79 per cent voter turnout till 1 PM.

The Jammu Division recorded a remarkable turnout with 56.90 per cent of votes cast while Kashmir division recorded around 26.28 per cent of voter turnout till 1 PM in the sixth phase.

In Kashmir division, Bandipora recorded around 29.39 per cent of voting while Ganderbal recorded the highest with 45.89 per cent of voter turnout followed by Kupwara with 41.21 per cent.

Similarly, in Jammu division, Rajouri recorded 63.07 per cent, the highest in the division followed by 61.91 per cent of Ramban and 61.21 per cent of Reasi.

In the sixth phase, around 31 constituencies went to polls including 14 from Kashmir and 17 from Jammu Division. A total of 245 candidates including 100 female candidates are in fray in the sixth phase in which over 7 lakh 48 thousand voters were supposed to cast their votes.

Apart from 31 constituencies of DDC, voting also took place on 334 Panch and 77 Sarpanch seats.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the voting was held with all safety arrangements in place. The administration set up around 2,071 polling stations including 1208 in Kashmir division and 863 in Jammu division, in the sixth phase.

The first-ever elections to the DDCs are being held in eight phases. A total of 280 constituencies are going to polls - 14 in each of the 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir - in a process that will give elected representatives the power to decide on development projects and expenditure.

The DDC election and the panchayat by polls are being held in eight phases from November 28 to December 19. The counting of votes will be taken on December 22.

Phase five of the DDC elections was held on December 10 on 37 constituencies including 17 in Kashmir division and 20 in Jammu division with around 51 per cent of voter turnout being recorded across the union territory.