A special revision of the electoral rolls will allow non-locals to register as voters in Jammu and Kashmir after Article 370 was scrapped in 2019.
Mumbai: Jammu and Kashmir have been without an elected government for more than four years. Elections are expected next year. A special revision of the electoral rolls will allow non-locals to register as voters in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since the Centre scrapped its special status under Article 370 in 2019, changing the constitution to allow non-Kashmiris to vote and own land there. Nearly, 25 lakh new voters following a revision that will allow non-locals to register as voters in the region.
The BJP has been accused of tipping the scales in favour of itself by political leaders in Kashmir who have reacted angrily to allegations that persons who typically reside in Jammu and Kashmir, even for work-related reasons, can vote in the upcoming assembly election in the Union Territory.
āIs the BJP so insecure about support from genuine voters of J&K that it needs to import temporary voters to win seats? None of these things will help the BJP when the people of J&K are given a chance to exercise their franchise,ā National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted.
Is the BJP so insecure about support from genuine voters of J&K that it needs to import temporary voters to win seats? None of these things will help the BJP when the people of J&K are given a chance to exercise their franchise. https://t.co/ZayxjHiaQy
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 17, 2022
He was responding to media reports that said individuals who regularly reside in Jammu and Kashmir for the purposes of employment, business, or education are eligible to vote in the upcoming local government elections.
Mehbooba Mufti, president of the PDP, claimed that the process’ true objective was to weaken the indigenous populace.
Peopleās Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone termed the move as ādangerousā in his tweet and said it will be ādisastrousā.
āThis is dangerous. I donāt know what they want to achieve. This is much more than a mischief. Democracy is a relic especially in the context of Kashmir. Please remember 1987. We r yet to come out of that. Donāt replay 1987. It will be as disastrous,ā Lone tweeted.
Allegations of widespread election fraud in the 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election are said to be one of the factors contributing to the increase in militancy in the former state in the 1980s.
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