Kashmir’s 2 DDC constituencies see 43% voting

Gupkar alliance fails to put up a joint fight, preferring to weigh in for independent candidates

The byelections in two District Development Council (DDC) constituencies in north Kashmir on Monday recorded 43% voting and reflected a split in the Peoples Alliance in Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgam of four political parties fighting for pre-August 5, 2019 position of J&K.

“Around 43% voting was recorded in the two constituencies that saw re-polling in the Kashmir division of the Union Territory. 53.33 voter percentage was recorded in Hajin-A, a constituency in Bandipora district, and 32.73% was recorded in Drugmulla constituency in Kupwara district,” an official spokesman said.

Out of 10,724 votes polled in Dragmulla, 5,624 were from men and 5,100 from women. “141 migrant votes were also cast at special polling stations for Kashmiri migrants set up at G.M.S. Jagti, G.G.H.S. Patta Bohri and G.M.S. Model Higher Secondary school, Udhampur,” the spokesman said.

The Dragmulla seat is reserved for women. Ten candidates were in the fray here.

In Hajin-A, out of 16,313 votes, 8,669 electors — 4,717 men and 3,982 women — cast their votes.

The counting for both the constituencies will be held on December 8.

Unlike the DDC elections held in December 2020, the electoral tie-up within the Gupkar alliance fell apart this time. The alliance, which fielded joint candidates, had won the highest around 110 constituencies out of 280 in 2020.