J&K: Election for DDC chairpersons to be held in February

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the election for the offices of chairpersons of district development councils (DDCs) is likely to take place next month. AIR Jammu Correspondent reports that proposal for the reservation of offices of DDC chairpersons is expected to be finalized in the first week of February. The State Election Commission (SEC) is expected to come up with the final proposal in the first week of February after considering objections, if any, to draft reservation of offices of chairpersons of DDCs and the elections would be held within 20 days after the SEC comes up with the final order on the reservations.

Going by the rules governing election for the posts of DDC chairpersons, the deputy commissioner concerned will call a meeting of all elected members to elect one of its members to be chairperson of DDC and another to be vice-chairperson of DDC. If the number of candidates for these posts is more than one, then election will take place through secret ballot.

The State Election Commission has unveiled a draft proposal for reservation of offices of chairpersons of DDCs. According to the proposal, posts of DDC chairpersons of Ganderbal, Shopian, Ramban and Kishtwar districts have been reserved for women, while Poonch seat has been kept exclusively for women from Schedule Tribe (ST) Category. Similarly, offices of chairpersons of Anantnag and Rajouri district have been reserved for STs while the seats of Jammu and Udhmapur district have been reserved for Schedule Caste (SCs).