‘Allowing non-locals to vote will be as disastrous as 1987 rigging’ Says Sajad Lone; Kashmir political parties fume over EC’s decision

The decision of allowing non-residents to vote in the upcoming assembly polls in Jammu Kashmir has evoked sharp and widespread criticism.

From the general public to politicians, the inclusion of non-locals in the electoral rolls does not seem to be going well with people, especially in the Kashmir valley.

Jammu Kashmir National Conference Vice President and the former Chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said BJP was planning to import voters to the Kashmir valley who can vote for the party.

“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,” Omar Abdullah said.

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

Mehbooba Mufti reacted sharply to the inclusion of non-locals in the voter list stating that the move was aimed at further disempowering the local residents of Jammu Kashmir.

PDP President said, “GOIs decision to defer polls in J&K preceded by egregious gerrymandering tilting the balance in BJPs favour & now allowing non locals to vote is obviously to influence election results. Real aim is to continue ruling J&K with an iron fist to disempower locals.”

Reacting to the statement of the decision that every Indian citizen staying in Jammu Kashmir can have voting rights in Assembly elections, JK Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone today said that such a step would be a replay of 1987.

Taking to microblogging platform Twitter, Sajad said, “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.”