'Last Nail In Coffin Of Electoral Democracy': Mehbooba Mufti Slams Voting Rights To Non-Kashmiri Residents

Jammu Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer, Hirdesh Kumar on Wednesday said that post abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir every citizen of the country staying ordinarily in J&K can register as a voter.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti

Source : PTI File Photo

New Delhi: Kashmiri political leaders have strongly reacted to the reports that people ordinarily residing in Jammu and Kashmir even for purposes of work can cast vote in the next assembly election in the Union Territory, accusing the BJP of tilting the balance in its favour. “People have lost confidence in voting,” said Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti. 

Jammu Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer, Hirdesh Kumar on Wednesday said that post abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir every citizen of the country staying ordinarily in J&K - for job, education, business purpose - can register as a voter here and cast vote in the next Assembly election. 

“This is the last nail in the coffin of electoral democracy. A Muslim majority state chose India, they wanted to be part of secular India. But people have lost confidence in voting,” Mufti told news agency ANI. 

J&K| This is last nail in coffin of electoral democracy. A Muslim majority state chose India, they wanted to be part of secular India. But people have lost confidence in voting. Everything happening in BJP's interest: PDP chief M Mufti on non-locals given voting rights in J&K pic.twitter.com/HcUsmAzjaH

— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2022

She accused the saffron party saying that “everything is happening in BJP’s interest.”

National Conference chief Omar Abdullah said that “none of these things will help the BJP.” 

“"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," National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted,” he 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

People's Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone termed the move as "dangerous" and said it will be "disastrous".

"This is dangerous. I don't 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 are yet to come out of that. Don't replay 1987. It will be as disastrous," Lone tweeted.

There are allegations of mass rigging in the 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election that is believed to be one of the causes behind the rise of militancy in the erstwhile state in the 1980s.

READ HERE: Non-Locals Residing In J&K Can Vote In Assembly Polls, 25 Lakh New Voters Likely To Be Enrolled: CEO