J&K to vote in BDC polls, the first such exercise since removal of Article 370

The Jammu and Kashmir Block Development Council (BDC) polls, the first such exercise in the aftermath of the removal of Article 370, to be held today, will see 1,065 candidates in the fray across 310 polling stations. The Congress, NC and PDP will boycott the polls.

There are 26,629 electors—8,313 women and 18,316 men—for the polls to elect chairpersons of BDCs.

Adequate security arrangements have been made at the polling stations, and for panches and sarpanches.

Prominent leaders of the mainstream parties and activists, as well as separatists, have been under arrest or detention since the Centre on August 5 revoked provisions related to special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution.

Unprecedented restrictions have been imposed in the state to maintain law and order. The curbs were lifted in the Jammu region where normalcy was restored within weeks. However, there has been a shutdown in Kashmir and sporadic protests with authorities maintaining tight security.

There are 316 blocks in the state, but the election will be held in 310 as two are without elected panches and sarpanches, and four blocks reserved for women have no women candidates, the officials said.

Nearly 24 per cent (12,766) of the posts of panchs and sarpanches are vacant due to various reasons, including resignations, deaths and non-conduct of the polls during the exercise held last winter.

Over 18,000 panchs and sarpanches are eligible to take part in the election in the Jammu division. The Kashmir division has only 7,528 elected panchs and sarpanches.

Ballot boxes will be used in the election.

1,092 nominations, including 853 Independents, were found eligible after scrutiny and withdrawal.

Twenty-seven candidates were elected chairpersons in various BDCs unopposed, leaving 1,065 in the fray, the officials said.

The highest number of candidates are in north Kashmir's Kupwara district (101) and the lowest in south Kashmir's Shopian (4).

Congress, CPI(M), National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP) are not taking part in the elections which are being held on party basis.

The Congress has announced its decision to boycott the elections citing "indifferent attitude" of the state administration and continued detention of its leaders in Kashmir.

There are 90 candidates in Baramulla, 82 in Jammu, 76 in Rajouri, 74 in Doda, 72 in Kathua, 58 each in Udhampur and Budgam, 44 in Kishtwar, 43 in Ramban and 39 in Reasi, the officials said.

Leh and Kargil districts together account for 74 candidates, 38 from Kargil and 36 from Leh. Five candidates are in the fray from Srinagar district.

There would be one polling station for one BDC, and accordingly, 310 polling stations have been setup in the state, one in each block where elections are to be held, the officials said. 

-Inputs from PTI