The counting process may take longer than usual because the state election commission has opted for paper ballot instead of electronic voting machines or EVMs.
In the first District Development Council (DDC) election in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of article 370 and bifurcation of the state in two union territorries, the Farooq Abdullah-led People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration has a big lead over the BJP.
The Gupkar alliance, in latest leads reported by NDTV, is ahead in 81 seats, while the BJP is leading in 47 seats. The Congress is leading on 21 seats.
People’s Alliance For Gupkar declaration (PAGD) is a grouping of regional parties including the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), formed after scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir to fight the move by the centre.
Votes for 280 seats are being counted, with 14 seats each in 20 districts of the union territory. According to the report, the process may take longer than usual because the state election commission has opted for paper ballot instead of electronic voting machines or EVMs. Over a period of 25 days, the poling for DDC was held in eight phases.
The outcome of the polls may be used as a sort of referendum by both political sections, for and against the constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP’s in-charge for DDC polls Anurag Thakur had earlier said he was confident of the party’s win. “The results will be out today and I am confident of Bhartiya Janata Party’s performance. People want to see new leadership take charge in J&K that will help resolve issues in their constituencies,” Mr Thakur was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
“Even though people were threatened, they came out in huge numbers to cast their vote. This is the victory of democracy. PM Modi’s dream that at grassroots level- panchayat, BDC & DDC elections should be held in J&K – has been fulfilled,” Mr Thakur added.
The Gupkar alliance, however, was not seen campaigning for the poll. Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti did not campaign even once for their candidates. The alliance had also alleged that their candidates have been kept in security enclosures and not allowed to campaign on the pretext of security concerns.
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