For DDC elections, about 50 additional companies to be dispatched
By: Tariq Shah VOV
Srinagar
For the smooth conduct of the coming DDC and by elections of panchayat union government has reportedly ordered deployment of 49 additional battalions of paramilitary forces to Jammu and Kashmir.
Media reports suggested that these additional companies have been ordered to move various states to union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the administration here has been asked to make the necessary arrangements for them including their lodging and boarding.
Reports said that administration in Jammu and Kashmir has in a recent meeting asked for the additional companies in the wake of threat perception in the villages especially in south and north Kashmir.
It is in place to mention that, the election commission here has already slated the coming DDC elections and by polls of panchayats in eight phases starting from November 28.
This would be the first major political activity in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of article 370 on August 5, 2019.
In a major political development already the newly formed people’s alliance has decided to participate in these polls although they have said that their goal is not power politics but they have a bigger cause of restoration of article 370 and to struggle for the rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is in place to mention that, the union government had in October amended the J-K Panchayati Raj Act to provide for setting up of District Development Councils in each district which will have directly elected members, marking the implementation of the entire 73rd Constitutional Amendment in the J-K.
While votes in the first phase would be cast ballot on 28 November, the last phase of polling would take place on 19 December and the counting of votes would take place on 22 December, according to the notification of state election commission.
While the election to DDCs and panchayat bypolls will be through ballot, byelection to municipal seats will be conducted through electronic voting machines (EVM).
However, the deployment of additional paramilitary troops which will reach Jammu and Kashmir would be taken by the local administration in consultation with the security grid.
All those villages where the threat perception is high would be provided with more security cover for the smooth conduct of these elections.
