Srinagar March 30 (KNS); The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) Vice President and Media Head, Basharat Bukhari, has urged the Centre to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir immediately. He said that going by the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah that situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved and is safe for investment and the statement of Chief Election Commissioner who acknowledged the vacuum created in Jammu and Kashmir, then it is the Election Commission's responsibility to ensure early elections.
Bukhari believes that the Election Commission should take necessary steps to fill the vacuum by conducting early elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The acknowledgement by the Chief Election Commissioner of the vacuum in Jammu and Kashmir is a clear indication that the democratic process has been stalled in the region. It is imperative that the Election Commission takes necessary measures to address the issue by conducting early elections in the region."
He further added that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure that democracy is upheld and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have their democratic rights fulfilled.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been waiting for far too long to exercise their democratic right to vote. The time has come for the Election Commission to act on this issue and ensure that early elections are held in the region."
He further said now that the Home Minister of India has given a statement that law and order situation in J&K has improved and is safe for investment, then what holds the ECI back in conducting elections.
“Last time they are waiting for the weather to improve. Now we are in spring but the ECI is shifting the goal post. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve their democratic right to vote, and the Centre must ensure that this right is upheld”, he added.
He further added that the delay in conducting elections is a violation of the democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Centre must take necessary steps to prioritize holding elections in the region to address the vacuum and uphold democracy”, he added.(KNS)