59 per cent migrants vote

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 23

Amid protests by migrant voters over missing names in the election list, 59 per cent of the displaced Kashmiri Hindus exercised their franchise for the first phase of polling in Anantnag parliamentary constituency at special polling stations in Jammu.

Six Assembly segments of Anantnag district went to polls in the first phase of polling of the Lok Sabha seat. There were a total of 6,745 voters whose M-Forms were accepted by state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), out of which 4,015 persons cast their vote.

However, at several places, people alleged that hundreds of voters couldn’t vote as they did not find their name in the voting list despite completing all formalities required for M-Forms.

“We face a unique problem. We want to vote but the cumbersome process for the militancy displaced denies them their rights. Several voters at Jagti, Muthi, Nagrota and Udeywala polling stations were denied their right to vote,” said Sunil Pandit, a social worker.

At Jagti, Janki Nath Bhat said although he knew that Pandits were not a vote bank for political parties, he voted for development.

“We hope by using our right, political parties will think of our rehabilitation. Democracy is the only way to end discrimination with people,” said Sanjay Bhat, another voter at Jagti.

Returning Officer (RO), Migrants, Pankaj Anand said although voting in Jammu ended peacefully, there were reports that some migrants did not find their name on the list. “The matter has been brought to our notice. The issue is being looked into.”