Migrated Kashmiri Pandits can vote: EC

Srinagar, Sept 3: Kashmiri pandits, Muslims and others who have migrated to other parts of the country because of turmoil in early nineties will continue to be treated as ordinary residents of their respective places in Kashmir for inclusion, retention of their names in the voter electoral roll of the constituency concerned.

Deputy Chief Electoral Officer( Dy CEO) of the Jammu and Kashmir, reacting to media reports, said Election Commission of India has notified that migrated Kashmiri Pandit electors under section 36-A (2) and section 70 (C) of the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of People's Act 1957 are still eligible for vote in their respective constituencies.

He said special arrangements have been made for them to exercise their right of franchise at the time of election through postal ballot or by setting up of polling stations.

He said their names were allowed to be incorporated in the electoral rolls, summarily revised from time to time.

Regarding the registration of non-permanent residents in the voter lists for assembly polls, he said instructions have already been issued to District electoral officers to delete the names of non-permanent residents which had entered by mistake in the list.

He said directions have been given to take necessary action against the officers and officials found guilty of incorporating the names of non-state subjects in the lists.

UNI