Rajouri/Poonch: The Election Commission of India’s decision to postpone elections will deny the nomadic community their right to vote, as a significant portion of voters in the constituency are beginning their annual migration to the higher reaches of the Pir Panchal mountains, stated former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday.
Speaking at a joining ceremony function in Pir Panchal, he said, "The ECI’s decision, made yesterday, is a clear example of conspiracy as it was based on appeals from parties not even contesting in the area."
"They rescheduled the polling to disenfranchise the nomadic community of the Pir Panchal region," he said.
Abdullah mentioned that the NC had written to the ECI pointing out that those seeking to postpone the elections were not fielding candidates in the constituency, but their plea was not given due consideration.
Accusing the BJP of employing a "divide and rule" policy akin to the British colonial era, he affirmed that the NC and its supporters would continue to fight to represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the parliament.
(KNS inputs)
