DDC chairperson polls: Second phase held in Budgam, Kupwara, Doda and Udhampur

The second phase of election for the posts of chairpersons for District Development Councils (DDC) in Budgam and Kupwara districts was held on Monday. In Budgam district, Nazir Ahmad Khan — an independent DDC member — was elected as the chairperson and in Kupwara district Nazir Ahmad Jahara of National Conference (NC) was elected as vice-chairperson of DDC.

Srinagar: The second phase of elections to the posts of chairpersons for District Development Councils (DDC) in Budgam and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir was held on Monday, officials said.

However, the polls in Baramulla district were postponed, they said.

In Budgam district in central Kashmir, Nazir Ahmad Khan — an independent DDC member — was elected as the chairperson, while Nazir Ahmad Jahara of National Conference (NC) was elected as vice-chairperson of DDC, officials said.

Khan was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but decided to contest the DDC polls which were held in December last year as an independent candidate.

His decision came after the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) seeking the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, fielded an NC candidate from the seat in Beerwah area which he wanted to contest.

The officials said in Kupwara district in north Kashmir, the People's Conference (PC) led by Sajad Lone secured the post of the chairperson, while the party-backed independent candidate won the vice-chairperson's post.

The party's DDC member Irfan Panditpuri was elected as the chairperson, while Farooq Ahmad was elected the vice-chairperson, they said.

The elections for the post of chairperson and vice-chairperson for Baramulla DDC council were postponed due to lack of quorum, officials said.

They said some elected DDC members were not present for the meeting to elect the chairperson, so the authorities postponed the polls.

The new date for the elections will be announced later, they added.

In the first phase of the polls to the posts of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons for three districts on Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party won from Srinagar and Shopian, while the CPI (M), which is part of the PAGD, won from Kulgam.

PTI