Polling started at 7 am and will take location till 2 pm. The DDC elections are becoming held in 5 phases. For 43 constituencies in the initial phase a total of 296 candidates are in the fray — 172 from Kashmir and 124 from Jammu. Elections for the DDCs will conclude on December 19 and the counting of votes be held on December 22.
After the revocation of Article 370, the Centre amended the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Raj Act-1989 to pave way for district improvement council polls in the union territory.
By-elections to 12,153 panchayat constituencies and 234 vacant seats of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are also taking location along with the DDC polls, which will be held in eight phases.
Sharma mentioned the sarpanch election will be carried out in 94 constituencies and a total of 279 candidates (203 males, 76 females) are contesting in the initial phase.
Similarly, in panchs bypolls, which are going to be held in 368 constituencies, 852 candidates are in the electoral fray out of which 635 are male and 217 are female, he added.
Sharma mentioned 2,146 polling stations have been set up for the smooth conduct of elections of phase-I.
(With agencies)