J and K LG congratulates voters, election machinery for successful conduct of maiden DDC polls

 Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday congratulated voters and the election machinery of the union territory for the successful conduct of the first-ever District Development Council (DDC) elections.

The eighth and final phase of the maiden DDC elections in Jammu and Kashmir concluded on Saturday with an overall voter turnout of approximately 51 percent. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 22.

"Strengthening the three-tiers of the Panchayati Raj system in J&K, the DDC elections were held for the first time in the UT, and the response to the DDC elections has been very encouraging," Sinha said.

The elections were largely peaceful and smooth.

"Youth and first-time voters of J&K voted for a new and better tomorrow. The polling stations across the UT witnessed long queues of enthusiastic voters and people came out to vote in large numbers, with the voter turnout percentage even in the traditionally low percentage areas registering manifold increase as compared to earlier held Parliamentary and panchayat elections which itself manifests that the faith of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the democratic process has deepened," the lieutenant governor said.

Thanking all officials for their commitment and determined efforts for the smooth conduct of the DDC elections, he said that above all, I thank and congratulate the people of J&K for participating in the elections with such enthusiasm and zeal and making the elections a massive success. 

He said with the culmination of the DDC elections, the people of J&K will, for the first time in history, see a truly empowered grassroots democracy entailing direct funding and decentralized decision-making in the planning and development of rural areas.

I reassure the people of J&K that we will sincerely work towards the betterment of all, and J&K will march ahead on the path of peace and progress without any discrimination, the Lt governor said. 

(IMAGE CREDITS:Twitter/@manojsinha_)