J&K CM seeks CEC’s resignation, demands restoration of deleted voters’ names
Srinagar, Oct 9: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday questioned the credibility of the electoral process, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the reversal of alleged voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Abdullah said elections were the foundation of democracy and stressed that the process must be free and fair.
“If elections are not conducted properly, then what is the meaning of democracy?” he asked.
The Chief Minister said concerns over electoral irregularities, which he claimed had earlier received little attention, were now being reflected in media reports highlighting differences within the Election Commission over the issue.
Abdullah demanded that the CEC step down and called for the reversal of voter deletions and alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, claiming that such actions were intended to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“The old voter lists should be restored, and elections must be conducted in a free and fair manner,” he said.
Responding to a question about the BJP responding to allegations directed at the Election Commission, Abdullah questioned why the party was speaking on behalf of the poll body.
“Our questions are directed at the Election Commission, but the BJP is responding. We are not asking the BJP these questions; we are asking the Election Commission,” he said.
He further alleged that the relationship between the BJP and the Election Commission had prompted BJP leaders to defend the poll body against the allegations.
Referring to the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah alleged that the process had been designed to benefit the BJP.
“Seven seats were increased. Of those seven seats, how many did the BJP win? Six,” he said, arguing that the outcome reinforced his party’s concerns about the delimitation exercise.
Abdullah alleged that the process had distorted the people’s mandate and claimed that the same pattern was continuing in the current electoral process.
