The counting process for two much talked about DDC constituencies, Drugmulla in Kupwara and Hajin (A) in Bandipora is underway.
Advocate Amina Majid who contested independently and is said to be backed by the Jammu Kashmir National Conference has taken a vast lead over the closest candidate Shabnam Rehman (PC).
The polling held on December 5, 2022 (Monday) in the two constituencies simultaneously, saw days of intense road-side and door-to-door campaigning.
As Hajin (A) in Bandipora saw a voter turnout of 53.27%, with 4708 males and 3982 females out of 16000 electorate the Drugmulla in Kupwara however witnessed less voter percentage. Out of a total of 32000 electorate, Drugmulla recorded 32.73% turnout as 5624 males and 5109 females came out to exercise their right of franchise.
As the counting goes underway, the final results’ will see any of the ten candidates’ ascending to the much touted about DDC chair in Drugmulla constituency.
Among those candidates in fray for Drugmulla (Kupwara) constituency are; Hameeda Begum (Apni Party), Shabnum Rehman (PAGD candidate), Shabroza Hassan (Indian National Congress), Shakeela Akhter (Bharatiya Janata Party), Adv. Aamina Majeed (Independent), Hafeeza Begum (Independent), Rifat Jan (Independent), Rafeeqa Bano (Independent), Saima Begum (Independent) and Gulshan Begum (Independent).
On the other side for Hajin-A (Bandipora), there will be five candidates viz. Zahida Begum (Independent), Ateeqa Bano (Peoples Conference), Aabida Bano (Independent), Naza Bano (Independent) and Kulsooma Begum (Bharatiya Janata Party), who will be vying to win the seat.
The Bhartiya Janta Party candidate Shakeel Akhtar managed to cross the four figure mark and secured 877 votes, Congress’s DDC candidate Shabroz Hassan got 746 votes. PC’s candidate Shabnam Rehman got 3220 votes while Hameeda Begum Apni party secured 1474 votes. Amina Majeed who is an independent candidate has so far secured 3259 votes, and looks to be emerging as the winner of the DDC seat.
Pertinent to mention here, that DDC elections took place in December 2020.
The counting of votes was nonetheless withheld in Drugmulla and Hajin (A) owing to the contestin of two Pakistani candidates – Soomia Sadaf and Shazia Aslam. The State Election Commission (SEC) later on declared the polling in the two constituencies as void even as cancelling the candidature of both the candidates ab-intio and thereby directed for fresh polls on the two unfulfilled seats.