Don’t delete votes of migrants from electoral rolls of Kashmir: BJP

BJP leaders at a press conference at Jammu on Monday.
BJP leaders at a press conference at Jammu on Monday.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: BJP asked the Election Commission not to delete displaced voters from Kashmir electoral rolls, while they also appealed the displaced community members to ensure that their votes do not get deleted from Kashmir.
J&K BJP spokesperson and former MLC, Girdhari Lal Raina accompanied by Kashmir Displaced District (KDD) president, Chandji Bhat, KDD general secretary, Moti Lal Bhat and KDD election in charge, Rajeev Pandita was addressing media persons at BJP headquarter, Trikuta Nagar, here.
“During Booth Sashaktikaran campaign, it has come to our notice that Booth Level Officers (BLO) of various constituencies are approaching voters from the displaced community asking them to confirm as to where their votes are to be entered into the electoral rolls. For the voters belonging to the displaced community are, for obvious reasons, in a state of uncertainty, indecision and in a tight spot,” said Raina.
He said reasons are explicable and for a common voter who is away from his territorial constituency for more than three decades finds it difficult to comprehend importance of remaining integrated to her/his place of origin. Its importance is further accentuated and reinforced by strong resolve and explicit intent to return to places of their origin. It is in this background KDD BJP is appealing the displaced community to express vehemently their decision to remain part of their territorial constituencies in Kashmir.
KDD at the same time urged the Election Commission of UT to explore possibility of allowing these voters to be entered into the electoral list for Urban local bodies like JMC. Articles 243K and 243ZA, empowers SEC with authority of superintendence, direction and control of preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of Panchayat and ULB election. This way the displaced community will continue to be voters of their territorial constituencies of Kashmir Valley for Assembly and Parliamentary seats, he added.
KDD appeals the community to ensure that their names in electoral rolls of Kashmir are properly and correctly registered.