By Hitesh Tikoo

Jammu, Dec 10 (IANS): The ongoing District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir has a very high percentage of candidates related to politicians in the union territory, according to the candidate data.

The data accessed by the IANS revealed that more than 60 candidates have political backgrounds, and among the fielded candidates, are sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws of several prominent politicians.

Among the candidates related to politicians are, Naseer Ahmed Mir contesting from Dooru constituency.

Naseer is the son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir, former Minister and the current state Congress chief.

Sabhat Gulzar, contesting from Shangus constituency of South Kashmir, is the daughter of Gulzar Ahmad Wani, a former Congress MLA.

Khalida Bebi, contesting from Larnoo constituency, is the wife of Gulzar Ahmad Khatana, PDP leader and former Chairman Gujjar Bakarwal board.

A total number of 286 candidates participated in the first phase of DDC elections. At least 172 candidates from Kashmir and 124 from Jammu division.

Out of the 280 DDC constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir, 43 went for polls in the second phase, including 25 in Kashmir division and 18 in Jammu division, with a total of 321 candidates in the electoral fray, 196 from Kashmir and 125 from the Jammu division.

Among the politicians fielding their relatives is a very prominent figure, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, state committee secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Jammu and Kashmir.

He was recently elected as the convenor of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. Tarigami's nephew Abbas Rather is contesting from the Qaimoh constituency of Kulgam.

Another prominent politician appearing in the candidate data is the former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffar Hussain Baig.

His wife, Safina Baig is contesting from Baramulla's Wagoora constituency.

A total of 305 candidates participated in the third phase of elections, including 166 from Kashmir division and 139 from Jammu division.

Polling was conducted for the fourth phase of the elections in 34 constituencies, 17 each in both the divisions.

The DDC elections was the first democratic exercise after the abrogation of Article 370 last year.

Besides the DDC election, polling was held for panchayat by polls in 50 vacant sarpanch seats and 216 vacant panch seats falling within the DDC constituencies.

The voting for the fifth phase started on December 10.

A total of 37 DDC constituencies are polling for 58 vacant sarpanch and 218 vacant panch seats in the fifth phase.

The DDC election is being held in eight phases and will continue till December 19.

The counting of votes will take place on December 22.