SRINAGAR – The fate of 1065 candidates across the Jammu and Kashmir state will be put to test on Thursday as panches and sarpanches vote in first BDC election in years.
The elections will be unique and interesting as major political parties like National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress are boycotting BDC elections and have decided not to participate in the electoral process as a protest against the abrogation of Article 370 and detention of their leadership. This leaves only Bharitya Janata Party (BJP) candidates in the fray, against the independents. It is believed that BJP will have a cake walk in these elections, since there is no tough competition to face, in an atmosphere of political vacuum left behind by the election boycott from major political parties.
27 candidates have been elected unopposed, while a total number of 1065 candidates is in fray for the election to the post of chairperson of block development councils across the state, which is scheduled to be held on 24th October.
According to the data of Chief Electoral Office, available with CNS, a total number of 1092 nominations were found eligible, after the withdrawal process was complete, out of which 27 candidates were elected unopposed for the post the chairpersons.
Out of the final list of 1092 candidates found eligible, 239 are from various political parties, while 853 are independent.
The district wise detail of candidates from Kashmir division suggests that there are 101 candidates in Kupwara, 90 in Baramulla, 26 in Bandipora, 28 in Ganderbal, 5 in Srinagar, 58 in Budgam, 11 in Pulwama, 4 in Shopian, 18 in Kulgam and 55 in Anantnag.
In Ladakh region, there are 36 candidates in fray and 38 in Kargil.
In Jammu division there are 82 candidates in fray in Jammu, 74 candidates in Doda, 44 in Kishtiwar, 43 in Ramban, 39 in Reasi, 58 in Udhampur, 72 in Kathua, 36 Samba, 76 in Rajouri, and 61 in Poonch.
There is a total number of 361 blocks across the state, but the upcoming election to the post of chairpersons scheduled to be held in next two days on 24th October, will be held for 310 blocks only.
Pertinently for a total number of 361 blocks, 27 candidates have been elected unopposed, while there will be no election in six blocks.
Out of the six blocks, which will go without election, in four blocks reserved for women there is no women candidate, while two blocks are without Panches or Sarpanches.
Authorities have said that all the necessary arrangements for smooth conduction of elections have been made. There will be one polling station for each block and accordingly 310 polling stations have been set up across the state.
There is total number of 26629 electors, out of which 8313 are female candidates and 18316 male candidates for 316 blocks in the 22 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ballot boxes will be used for polls of BDCs
Chief electoral Office has said that the chairpersons for BDCs will be elected through secret ballot and ballot boxes will be used during the elections of the BDCs as the election shall be held through secret ballot. (With inputs from CNS)
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