J&K: Polling begins for 1st phase of DDC elections & Panchayat by-polls

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, voting for the first phase of the first ever District Development Council (DDC) elections and the Panchayat by-elections began at 7 am this morning. Polling will continue till 2 pm. The elections will be conducted in eight phases.Elaborate arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of polls. There are total 296 candidates in the electoral fray for today's 43 constituencies of DDC elections. Besides, the Sarpanch elections are conducted in 94 constituencies today and 279 candidates are contesting in this phase.
 
Similarly, in Panch by-elections being conducted today in 368 constituencies, 852 candidates are in the electoral fray. 768 Panchs including 36 Sarpanchs have already been elected unopposed.
 
Meanwhile, State Election Commissioner (SEC) Mr KK Sharma has urged the people to follow the COVID guidelines and use face-masks apart from maintaining social distancing while polling. Mr Sharma has also appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to come forward to participate in the biggest festival of democracy and exercise their right to cast their valuable vote.

 (With input from news agency language)

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