The Jammu Kashmir election officials on Tuesday created another political storm, this time in the Jammu region after they in order asked for the registration of non-local voters for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu Kashmir.
Deputy Commissioner of Jammu, Avani Lavasa issued an order that any person who has been living in Jammu for more than a year should be registered as a new voter.
The official order, accessed by The Kashmiriyat stated, Whereas, Special Summary Revision, 2022 has been started in Union territory of the Jammu and Kashmir w.e.f. 15.09.2022, for registration of new voters, deletion, correction, and transposition of voters who have migrated, and died since the last Summary Revision.
“Whereas, as per guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India, any of the following documents can be accepted as proof of residence:
Water/Electricity/ Gas Connection for one year.
Aadhar Card
Current Passbook of Nationalized/ Scheduled Bank/ Post Office.
Indian Passport
Revenue Department’s Land Owning Record including Kisan Bahi
Registered Rent/ Lease Deed (in case of Tenant)
Registered Sale Deed in case of own house.”
Whereas, these guidelines further provides that any other proof of residence can also be accepted for registration of new voters; Whereas, these guidelines further provides that in case none of the mentioned documents is available, field verification is must. As for example, category like homeless Indian citizens who are otherwise eligible to become electors but do not possess any documentary proof of ordinary residence, Electoral Registration Officer shall designate an officer for field verification, the order read.
With the increase in the number of assembly seats, there has been a massive change in the existing electoral rolls and now the voter lists are being prepared according to the new framework, election commission said earlier.
Sources informed that the process of preparation of voter lists is underway throughout Jammu Kashmir, however, it was halted in view of the August 15 preparations in Jammu Kashmir. Earlier a poll panel had given a timeline of October 31 for the publication of the finalized electoral rolls in JK, however, the date was extended by 25 days.
Camps are being organised during the summary revision across Jammu Kashmir from September 15 to 25 October in Jammu Kashmir where people can register themselves as voters.
The voter lists will be linked with Aadhaar cards and Voter ID cards with new security standards will be issued to the voters, they informed. “Voters who will be of 18 years of age on 1 October 2022 or who have attained the age of 18 years before that can get their names included in the voter lists during this period,” Sources told.
“Those who are registering as new voters can apply filling form 6. Form 7 is for deceased citizens whose named have to be cancelled from the voters list. Form 8 is for those who want corrections in electoral details,” they said.
He said that the only condition to get included in the voters list is that the person should have cancelled his/her voter registration from his/her native state.
Around 20 to 25 lakh new voters will be included in the voters’ list.