Mattan (Jammu and Kashmir), Several non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits on Saturday expressed anguish over claims that their names were not in the voter list, calling it an "unfortunate" incident with the group that despite the turbulent insurgency-era Remained in Kashmir region. 1990s.
The case pertains to a polling booth set up at a Government High Secondary School in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, where voting took place in the sixth round of the seven-phase general elections today.
There was no immediate comment from election officials on the claims made by members of the small community living in a cluster in Anantnag district.
"I was denied the right to vote because my name was not in the list," said Sarlaj Tikku, a retired government employee and member of the group. Kashmiri Pandit.
The people said that they were born and brought up in Kashmir (Anantnag) and had Aadhaar and election cards, but still they were "not allowed" to cast their vote at the polling booth.But it is unfortunate that today I am not able to exercise properly, I am sad," said Tikku.
He said that in a democratic country everyone has the right to vote. "We are citizens of this country".
He said, “We spoke to the deputy commissioner and he assured us that he would solve your problem but nothing happened.There are many people like me who were not allowed to vote today."
Deepak Kumar said that there are six members in his family but only one could vote.
“It is clear what is happening to us. I am a resident of Mattan. I have ration card and all other proofs.We have faced many difficulties to survive here. If so, the government should tell us clearly so that we can move to some other place,” said Deepak Kumar, showing his voter ID card at the polling booth.
Vinod Kumar, whose name was also missing from the voter list, said, "I had cast my vote earlier but today we were not allowed to cast our vote. I don't know the reason but the officials clearly told us that we should not cast our vote." Can't put it." Vote here.,
He said that his father has been in politics. Vinod Kumar said, "We are politically active. But it is sad that we cannot cast our vote."
"We also want a representative of our own who can be our voice in the Parliament but when we are deprived of our basic rights, what can we expect? Kashmir is my birth land. Where else will I go? I have applied for ARO (Assistant Returning) Spoke to the officer but he said he couldn't do anything," he said.
Prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader Ravinder Pandita also expressed surprise at the exclusion of names of members of his community from the voter list."...Although last year there was an exercise to include us in the Kashmir voter list, I found only one member out of five. What is its methodology? Frustrated, Pandita wrote on X.
He urged the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir to revise the electoral lists for the upcoming assembly elections in the Union Territory.
"Our vote matters in the (Kashmir) valley. We cannot be kept away from exercising our franchise for the motherland," he said.,
Till 5 pm, 51.35 percent voting was recorded in the constituency. 20 candidates are in the fray from the seat, including PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Mehbooba is facing a big challenge from National Conference leader Mian Altaf and her own party's Zafar Iqbal Khan Manhas, who are supported by the BJP. Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leader Mohammad Salim Parre and 10 independents are also trying their luck from the constituency.ANB
ANB
The case pertains to a polling booth set up at a Government High Secondary School in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, where voting took place in the sixth round of the seven-phase general elections today.
There was no immediate comment from election officials on the claims made by members of the small community living in a cluster in Anantnag district.
"I was denied the right to vote because my name was not in the list," said Sarlaj Tikku, a retired government employee and member of the group. Kashmiri Pandit.
The people said that they were born and brought up in Kashmir (Anantnag) and had Aadhaar and election cards, but still they were "not allowed" to cast their vote at the polling booth.But it is unfortunate that today I am not able to exercise properly, I am sad," said Tikku.
He said that in a democratic country everyone has the right to vote. "We are citizens of this country".
He said, “We spoke to the deputy commissioner and he assured us that he would solve your problem but nothing happened.There are many people like me who were not allowed to vote today."
Deepak Kumar said that there are six members in his family but only one could vote.
“It is clear what is happening to us. I am a resident of Mattan. I have ration card and all other proofs.We have faced many difficulties to survive here. If so, the government should tell us clearly so that we can move to some other place,” said Deepak Kumar, showing his voter ID card at the polling booth.
Vinod Kumar, whose name was also missing from the voter list, said, "I had cast my vote earlier but today we were not allowed to cast our vote. I don't know the reason but the officials clearly told us that we should not cast our vote." Can't put it." Vote here.,
He said that his father has been in politics. Vinod Kumar said, "We are politically active. But it is sad that we cannot cast our vote."
"We also want a representative of our own who can be our voice in the Parliament but when we are deprived of our basic rights, what can we expect? Kashmir is my birth land. Where else will I go? I have applied for ARO (Assistant Returning) Spoke to the officer but he said he couldn't do anything," he said.
Prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader Ravinder Pandita also expressed surprise at the exclusion of names of members of his community from the voter list."...Although last year there was an exercise to include us in the Kashmir voter list, I found only one member out of five. What is its methodology? Frustrated, Pandita wrote on X.
He urged the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir to revise the electoral lists for the upcoming assembly elections in the Union Territory.
"Our vote matters in the (Kashmir) valley. We cannot be kept away from exercising our franchise for the motherland," he said.,
Till 5 pm, 51.35 percent voting was recorded in the constituency. 20 candidates are in the fray from the seat, including PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Mehbooba is facing a big challenge from National Conference leader Mian Altaf and her own party's Zafar Iqbal Khan Manhas, who are supported by the BJP. Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leader Mohammad Salim Parre and 10 independents are also trying their luck from the constituency.ANB
ANB
