Necessary instructions stand conveyed to concerned, replies LG
Srinagar, Nov 20: CPI (M) senior leader and former MLA Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami has written to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha regarding concerns for the forthcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections.
According to a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Tarigami in a letter said that the first ever District Development Council (DDC) elections are commencing in next few days and to make the process credible, the participation of voters is imperative. However, a good number of candidates, who are contesting these polls, have been kept away from their constituencies and they have been bundled in ‘cluster accommodations’.
After filing their nomination papers, they are not allowed to hold campaigning in their respective segments due to a perceived threat to their lives. Confining candidates against their wishes has severely restricted their movement and ability to campaign. Even in some cases, they are not allowed to attend party meetings. And some cases have surfaced where opposite candidates are sent in a same vehicle to a village for campaigning and are asked to campaign together. Several candidates from far off places were sent to hotels in Srinagar soon after they filled the nomination forms last week. Not just the voters, but the families of the candidates are also concerned.
You may have come to know about these issues through media reports as well. It is a big concern and there is lot of dissatisfaction on ground over such arrangements. Who wins and who loses, the decision must lie on electorate. Democracy must finally win. For that the process must be made secure and credible. It is advisable not to put avoidable restrictions on the contesting candidates and instead their legitimate movement for the campaigning in their respective areas must be effectively facilitated.
Ensuring a free and fair environment for this process is essential. Meanwhile, as per statement, LG in a reply to his letter has said that “I have received your D.O letter dated 19-11-2020, raising concern over the campaigning for the District Development Council (DDC) elections. The issue is already in my notice and necessary instructions stands conveyed to the concerned. I am sure that the coming elections will go a long way in strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions.”
