Expressing shock and resentment over the decision of Election Commission to go for re-polling in some parts of Central Kashmir, People’s Democratic Party legislator and former Minister Javaid Mustafa Mir Tuesday said that what was the fun of deferring polls in South Kashmir when ECI was intending to go for re-polling in Central Kashmir. “Like others, this decision of Election Commission has baffled me and I don’t understand why Election Commission wants to put people at risk,” Mir told local news agency adding that re-polling has enough potential to trigger violence in parts of Kashmir.
“My concern is not polling but the protection of people. Earlier on Sunday, it was a total mismanagement of elections. Innocent youth were butchered. If there will be re-polling, there will be killing and violence. You can’t force people to rush to polling stations and vote amid violence,” he said.
He said that Election Commission’s decision to go for re-polling merely after three days of civilian killings speaks volumes. “Election Commission of India has not taken the civilian killings and the outrage and resentment expressed by people into account. Situation can’t be retrieved by any means so quickly to have a free and fair poll with public participation as they are deeply alienated,” Mir said adding that he will not expose his people to risk in his constituency.
Pertinently, Chief Electoral Officer Jammu and Kashmir Shantmanu on Tuesday said that re-polling would be held at 38 polling stations of Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency on April 13.
