In a significant move aimed at facilitating voting for Kashmiri migrants in the ongoing General Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has streamlined the process by abolishing the cumbersome procedure of filling Form-M for displaced individuals from the valley residing in Jammu and Udhampur districts. According to an ECI spokesperson, migrants residing outside Jammu and Udhampur will now be able to self-attest the certificate appended with Form-M, eliminating the need for attestation by a Gazetted Officer, a decision made during a meeting chaired by CEC Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The decision follows numerous representations from various Kashmiri Migrant groups highlighting the challenges they face during each election cycle, hindering their right to franchise. The Form-M process imposes additional bureaucratic hurdles on these voters compared to others, with its complex and cumbersome requirements for specific documentation, proof of migration status, and attestation. Earlier, the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir submitted comments to the Commission on April 9, 2024, in consultation with political parties, fully supporting the decision. The Commission, after considering the representations, political party feedback, and comments from the CEC UT of Jammu and Kashmir, notified the Scheme for Kashmiri migrants to vote in person at transitory camps and via postal ballot for the ongoing General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024. For migrant voters of Jammu and Udhampur, all 22 special polling stations (21 in Jammu and 1 in Udhampur) will be individually mapped to camps/zones, ensuring accessibility. Zonal officers will designate intra-zonal jurisdictions for each polling station based on distance and accessibility for voter groups. For migrants outside Jammu and Udhampur, self-attestation of Form-M will suffice, eliminating the need for a Gazetted Officer. However, to prevent impersonation at Special Polling Stations, voters must produce either an EPIC (voter ID card) or alternate documents prescribed by the Commission for identification. Postal Ballot facility procedures remain unchanged. Migrants wishing to vote via postal ballot must complete Form 12 C, regardless of their location – whether in Jammu, Udhampur, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, or elsewhere in India. This requirement applies to migrants of all ages, including those residing in Jammu and Udhampur. Under the updated plan, all 22 special polling stations (21 in Jammu and 1 in Udhampur) will be linked to 21 zones (20 in Jammu and 1 in Udhampur), ensuring that each zone has at least one special polling station.
“The Commission, after considering the representations, political party feedback, and comments from the CEC UT of Jammu and Kashmir, notified the Scheme for Kashmiri migrants to vote in person at transitory camps and via postal ballot for the ongoing General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024. For migrant voters of Jammu and Udhampur, all 22 special polling stations (21 in Jammu and 1 in Udhampur) will be individually mapped to camps/zones, ensuring accessibility. Zonal officers will designate intra-zonal jurisdictions for each polling station based on distance and accessibility for voter groups.”
If a zone contains multiple polling stations, zone officers will allocate each station to a specific area to facilitate voter access. Kashmiri migrants expressed appreciation to the ECI Commissioner for simplifying the M-forms process. Rohan Raina, a local KP, commended the decision, stating that the community had long advocated for the abolition of the M forms process. He highlighted the challenges faced during previous elections and expressed optimism that the younger generation would now engage more actively in the voting process. Raju Kaul, a resident of Udhampur, welcomed the decision, emphasizing its potential to alleviate burdens on migrants and enhance their participation in the electoral process. He viewed it as a positive step toward empowering the community and enhancing accessibility to the electoral process, indicating responsiveness from the authorities to community concerns. Muneer Dhar, a local from Nagrota, praised the inclusion of a self-attestation provision, noting its potential to save time and effort for migrants spread across different regions. She described it as a progressive move by the ECI, expressing optimism that it would encourage active participation in elections among young voters. During the 2019 elections, approximately 17,000 M forms were filled out by Kashmiri migrants, but less than seven percent actually voted.
“Maintain regular communication with Kashmiri migrant groups throughout the electoral process to address any emerging issues or concerns promptly. This can help build trust and confidence in the electoral system among migrant voters. Instituting a feedback mechanism and maintaining continuous engagement with migrant communities throughout the electoral process will further strengthen trust and confidence in the electoral system among Kashmiri migrants.”
Kashmir Horizon View: Election Commission can further facilitate the voting process for Kashmiri migrants and ensure their meaningful participation in the democratic process. Launch an extensive awareness campaign to inform Kashmiri migrants about the updated voting procedures, including the abolition of Form-M and the requirements for identification at Special Polling Stations. This campaign could utilize various mediums such as social media, local newspapers, radio, and community events to reach a wide audience. Establish mobile voter registration units to visit Kashmiri migrant camps and communities outside Jammu and Udhampur. These units can help migrants register to vote, update their voter information, and address any queries or concerns they may have regarding the voting process. Ensure that voting materials, including voter registration forms and informational pamphlets, are available in multiple languages, including Urdu and Kashmiri, to cater to the linguistic diversity of Kashmiri migrants. Apart from mapping special polling stations to camps/zones, assess the accessibility of these stations for elderly or differently-abled voters. Provide necessary accommodations such as ramps, wheelchair access, and assistance for those who require it. Organize community outreach programs in collaboration with local NGOs, community leaders, and religious institutions to encourage Kashmiri migrants to exercise their right to vote. These programs can include voter education workshops, interactive sessions with election officials, and discussions on the importance of political participation. Establish a feedback mechanism to gather input from Kashmiri migrants regarding their voting experience. This can help identify any challenges or areas for improvement in the voting process and inform future initiatives aimed at enhancing voter participation among migrant communities. Maintain regular communication with Kashmiri migrant groups throughout the electoral process to address any emerging issues or concerns promptly. This can help build trust and confidence in the electoral system among migrant voters. Instituting a feedback mechanism and maintaining continuous engagement with migrant communities throughout the electoral process will further strengthen trust and confidence in the electoral system among Kashmiri migrants.
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