Journalism of Courage
The opening phase of the first-ever District Development Council (DDC) polls across Jammu and Kashmir recorded a voter turnout of 51.7 per cent on Saturday. (Express photo: Shuaib Masoodi)
A security personnel keeps vigil as voters stand in queue to cast their votes for the District Development Council elections at the polling station in Pahalgam. (Express photo: Shuaib Masoodi)
The eight-phase DDC polls are also the maiden elections in Jammu and Kashmir since it was reorganised as a union territory last year, and it is being held along with byelections to panchayats. (Express photo: Shuaib Masoodi)
The DDC election is being seen as a triangular contest among the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), the BJP and the Apni Party floated by former finance minister Altaf Bukhari. (Express photo: Shuaib Masoodi)
The enthusiasm was high among voters, especially West Pakistani refugees, who were casting their votes in the local body polls for the first time following the August 5, 2019 abrogation of Article 370. (Express photo: Shuaib Masoodi)
While 124 candidates, including 30 females, are in the fray in 18 constituencies in Jammu division, there are 172 candidates, including 59 females, contesting the polls at 25 places in the Kashmir Valley. (Express photo: Shuaib Masoodi)
