PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Saturday accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of trying to “fix” the Lok Sabha elections by “selectively targeting and harassing” her party and its supporters.
In a statement posted on social media Sunday, the Election Commission said it had taken cognizance of “grievances of alleged intimidation of political workers of certain parties and the use of Section 144 order”.
Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, PDP candidate from the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, alleged that some officials in the J&K administration are trying to manipulate the Lok Sabha polls.
Advertisement“We’re reaching out to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to urgently address and relocate the official from his sensitive position,” he said.
The way you are using the police to harass our workers, you think you will win the election this way.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Saturday accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of trying to “fix” the Lok Sabha elections by “selectively targeting and harassing” her party and its supporters. Similar allegations were made by the National Conference and the CPI(M).
In a statement posted on social media Sunday, the Election Commission said it had taken cognizance of “grievances of alleged intimidation of political workers of certain parties and the use of Section 144 order”.
Mufti, who also accused the BJP-led Centre of creating a “political Ikhwan” (a counter insurgent group accused of mass human rights violations) in the Valley, said, “Preparations are being made to do fraud in the elections. The election is being fixed.”
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Addressing a hurriedly convened press conference at the PDP headquarters here, Mufti also alleged that the authorities have imposed restrictions for 48 hours from 6.30 pm on Saturday under Section 144 in Pulwama, which is part of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat going to polls on Monday.
The PDP president said they were trying to “harass” the people so that they do not come out to vote. She said that a large number of party workers in Pulwama and Jammu’s Poonch area, which is now part of Anantnag parliamentary seat, are being called to the police stations and detained.
Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, PDP candidate from the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, alleged that some officials in the J&K administration are trying to manipulate the Lok Sabha polls.
In a post on X Sunday, he said, “In the past, Kashmir has experienced boycotts at the behest of separatists. Today, we’re witnessing a similar scenario.” He alleged that an IPS officer was “directing officials to minimise voter turnout by detaining, harassing our workers”.
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“We’re reaching out to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to urgently address and relocate the official from his sensitive position,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, during a poll campaign of party candidate Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, also alleged harassment by the police. “I want to tell the Lieutenant-Governor… stop harassing us. The way you are using the police to harass our workers, you think you will win the election this way. You will, god willing, lose the election.”
M Y Tarigami, CPI(M) central committee member and former member of J&K Assembly, wrote on X, “Disallowed by police to visit Reban Zainapora, where a public meeting was scheduled for tomorrow. Additionally, disturbing reports about arbitrary detentions of political workers are circulating, suggesting deliberate attempts to manipulate the elections.”
In its statement Sunday, the Election Commission said, “On social media, there have been some grievances of alleged intimidation of political workers of certain parties and the use of Section 144 order.”
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“The Election Commission of India has taken cognizance of the matter. CEO has talked personally to political leaders. He has clarified that as per rules, order under section 144 are issued in all Districts, for the last 48 hours (silence period of campaigning) and accordingly these orders were issued in Udhampur and Jammu Parliamentary Constituency and are now issued for all Districts of Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, including Pulwama,” it said.
Regarding permissions for rallies, the EC said, “…during the entire period under the Model Code of Conduct, which starts with the announcement of elections by the ECI, specific permissions from the concerned authorities are mandatory. These permissions are being issued without any discrimination and in an online mode through the centralised ‘Suvidha Portal’.. Candidates are advised to consider the security concerns of specific areas.”
