The State Election Commissioner (SEC), K K Sharma Saturday said that people’s participation and peaceful conduct of eight phased District Development Council (DDC) elections is explicitly showing that people of Jammu and Kashmir have reaffirmed their faith in democracy and democratic setup.
Mr Sharma, accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole; Inspector General of Police, Vijay Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Anshul Garg; Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone and concerned Returning Officer (RO) said this during his visit to frontier district of Kupwara in north Kashmir.
Mr Sharma said that polling and electoral process remained successful in Jammu & Kashmir and people voted enthusiastically, adding that about 40 per cent voter turnout was registered in Kashmir valley during last 7 phases.
He said the objective of the State Election Commission was to conduct free and fair election which, he added, was committed with the people’s participation and hard-work of government functionaries adding that all SOPs of COVID-19 were strictly implemented and masks and sanitizers were made available at polling stations.
Replying to media persons regarding extension of polling time beyond 1400 hrs, the SEC said that concluding time is implemented across the country uniformally and the decision was implemented here also to ensure the security and safety of polling staff and police personnel.
He said the voters who were within the premises of polling stations, had voted smoothly, adding that, people of Kashmir are well versed with their rights.
The SEC interacted with polling staff, party polling agents, health workers and security personnel and enquired about facilities and arrangements provided by administration.