4th phase of DDC polls: Internet suspended in South Kashmir as ‘precautionary measure’

Mobile internet services were again suspended in South Kashmir on Monday even as voting was being held in the fourth phase of district development council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Internet has been suspended today in South Kashmir as the elections are going on.It was suspended in earlier three phases as well,” said one of the senior police officers of South Kashmir not wishing to be identified.

Police control rooms of Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian dustricts in South Kashmir confirmed that the internet was suspended. Local militancy is more prominent is South Kashmir.

Meanwhile, officials said the fourth phase of DDC elections had recorded a voter percentage of 26.02 % across different constituencies spread over different districts of Jammu and Kashmir till 11am.

As per the figures given by the office of State Election Commissioner, KK Sharma, Kashmir division had recorded an overall polling percentage of 14.87% while Jammu recorded 37.88% up to 11am.

In Kashmir division, Kupwara had recorded voting percentage of 14.8%, Bandipora 27.49%, Baramulla 21.12%, Ganderbal 25.15%, Budgam 21.14%, Pulwama 3.79%, Shopian 1.24%, Kulgam 3.58% and Anantnag 16.28% till 11am.

In Jammu division, Kishtwar had recorded voting percentage of 36.49%, Doda 43.52%, Udhampur 28.65%, Ramban 36.39%, Reasi 26.61%, Kathua 35.37%, Samba 38.58%, Jammu 42.93%, Rajouri 42.35% and Poonch 37.09% till 11am.

The DDC elections are the first major electoral exercise taking place in J&K after the revocation of Article 370 in August last year and the bifurcation of the former state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The eight-phase election will end on December 19 and the counting will be held on December 22.