Srinagar, May 09 (KNS): District Election Officer Srinagar Thursday issued notice to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra for violating Model Code of Conduct during election campaigning.
In a notice served to Parra, DEO Srinagar said “Whereas the elections for the Lok Sabha have been announced by the Election Commission of India on 16th of March 2024”.
“Whereas with the announcement of elections the Model Code of Conduct comes into force and remains in operation till the completion of election process as per the election notification.”
“Whereas you are one among the contesting candidates from the 02- Srinagar PC as the party candidate of J&K Peoples Democratic Party. Whereas you have sworn in the name of the God, and affirmed that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the constitution of India as by law established and that you will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India. Whereas among other things there is a guideline for political parties to adhere to the proper procedure in terms of general conduct as well.
It said whereas a brief about the MCC guidelines was reiterated for the knowledge of the contesting candidates and their representatives in the meeting held by the election Observers at District Election Office, Srinagar on 30- 04-2024. Whereas a recent media clip has been noticed on the social media wherein in a media interaction at Srinagar you have conveyed the verbatim of which is reproduced hereunder as:
"The aim of this election is not to ascertain who is contesting against us but the people of Kashmir particularly youth should not treat this election less than a referendum, your vote should be your referendum and a message needs to be conveyed to the New Delhi that people's silence here should not be construed as their contentment. The future of youth is uncertain, people are scared, uncertain about their security. The youth of Srinagar are trend setters and anything they decide becomes trend in the valley. The issue is to convey to New Delhi that people of Kashmir are not happy with New Delhi and people have apprehension about safeguard of their identity, lands, contracts and other resources and for the safeguard of this they want reassurance from the Parliament. It is not about August 5, 2019 only but about the problem of Kashmir as entire. We have lost thousands of people particularly youth, many are in jail, many others lost, generations have been lost, entire generation is slipping away from us, children caught in drug addiction, educated are under depression and the future generation is in danger, and to save this, we want people to take this election not less than a referendum and send a message to New Delhi that people are not happy with them and they want to be heard they want their issues and fears to be addressed by the Parliament of India,” notice said.
Whereas, it has explicitly been mentioned that in the MCC guidelines that, any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes, communities or religious or linguistic groups shall not be attempted.
Whereas this act of your's has the potential of aggravating the differences among communities and can cause discontentment in the society.
Keeping in view the above and through the medium of this notice, you are asked to refrain from issuing such statements forthwith and also to make clear, the exact context and message you wanted to convey to the people and also to clarify your position in this regard to the District Election Officer, Srinagar within two days of issuance of this notice, which otherwise would be construed as non-compliance and will invite action under law. (KNS)