West Pakistan refugees get first vote Jammu and Kashmir District Development Council (DDC) elections will take place in eight phases between November 28 and December 19. The announcement was made by newly-appointed J&K Election Commissioner KK Sharma. While addressing the media in Jammu on Wednesday, Election Commissioner KK Sharma said the DDC elections in J&K will take place in eight phases. The first phase will take place on November 28 and the last on December 19 of this year.
The timing will be from 7 am to 2 pm on the days of voting and the DDC elections in J&K will be held on party-basis, Election Commissioner KK Sharma said. He added, “For the first time, West Pakistan refugees would be able to vote in DDC elections.”
J&K Election Commissioner KK Sharma and chief electoral officer Hridyesh Kumar also said, “Anyone living in J&K can enroll as a voter for these elections. People’s Representation Act will be applicable in J&K.”
This announcement essentially means that people from outside the Union Territory currently living in Jammu and Kashmir can get enrolled as voters and cast their votes in the upcoming DDC elections.
Earlier this month, the central government had approved amendments to the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. With the amended Act in force, the three-tier Panchayati Raj system is now in place in Jammu and Kashmir.
The DDC polls will be the first major political activity in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
These DDC elections will result in direct representation of people in the district level body through direct elections to 14 seats in the District Development Council. Five standing committees, one each for finance, development, public works, health and education and welfare, will be constituted in every DDC.