SRINAGAR: Ahead of elections, the first phase of which is slated for November 28, people have started celebrating success. These successes are the outcome of the single contestant not having a challenger at all.
An official spokesman quoted Deputy Commissioner Kupwara saying that there will not be any election at 38 panch berths for lack of a challenger.
“The number of constituencies where only one nomination paper has been received and polls are not to be held are 38 and these include Sarpanch – 0 and Panch – 37,” the official statement said. This simply means the 37 individuals have won without a contest. Their victory will, however, be formally announced by an order.
However, the contest is going to be there on all remaining segments. Officials associated with the exercise said the contest is serious especially among three parties – the PAGD, BJP and Apni Party.
In Kupwara, three DDC territorial constituencies are going to polls on November 28 – Kralpora, Tangdar and Kalaroos. The same day, there will be contest for various panch and sarpanch constituencies which were vacant or were rendered vacant later. Interestingly all the three DDC segment are reserved for females.
Of its 14 DDC constituencies, five stand reserved for females – Kralpora, Qadirabad, Dragmulla, Tangdar, and Ramhal.
On Monday, the last day for withdrawing the nominations, DDC Kupwara said 53 candidates (DDC – 04, Sarpanch – 02 and Panch – 47) have withdrawn their candidature. This has left 144 candidates (DDC – 29, Sarpanch -19 and Panch – 96) in the fray.
The number of constituencies where elections shall be held in the first phase in Kupwara district is now 52 (DDC – 03, Sarpanch – 07 and Panch – 42).
