We are not bothered about poll boycott: Chief Election Commissioner

Jammu, Nov 13 : Reviewing the ongoing election process in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami on Thursday said that the model code of conduct will be implemented in letter and spirit. While replying to a query about the poll boycott call given by the separatists, Swami said, "We are not bothered about the poll boycott call and it is not new, it happens everywhere."

Acting swiftly on the complaints by the different political partiers against some officers, Swami issued suspension orders of Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mahore in Reasi District and transferred the SDM of Zanskar for violating model code of conduct. The Chief Election Commissioner said that nobody would be forced to cast their vote in any manner by the security forces manning the election process in all the seven phases of elections in the state.

"We have made enough security arrangements for the smooth and fair polls in the state. Voters will be provided all kind of security while casting their votes," added Swami.

The seven-phase polling will begin from November 17 and end on December 24 to replace the central rule imposed after a Congress party-led coalition government fell in July over Amarnath shrine land transfer row.

Separatists have said they will boycott any state election. By Tahir Nadeem Khan

ANI