Srinagar: Leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) have accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of manipulating the election schedule of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls to favor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The allegations include changing the vote counting date and transferring senior police officers, actions that the parties claim could influence the election outcomes.
According to Kashmir Media Service, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti claimed that the ECI’s decision to delay the vote counting from October 4 to October 8 was influenced by the BJP. She criticized the commission for altering polling dates in her constituency during previous Lok Sabha elections as well. Mufti highlighted her concerns about the transfer of senior police officers during the elections but remained hopeful that local officers would ensure a fair electoral process.
Furthermore, Mufti criticized recent amendments to the Wakf properties act and the reduction of the Namaz break in the Assam Assembly, describing these actions as attempts to disenfranchise and marginalize the Muslim community.
On the other hand, National Conference leader Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi demanded an explanation from the ECI regarding abrupt transfers of top police officials in the region prior to the elections. Ruhullah argued that these transfers could be an attempt to reshape the administrative framework to benefit a specific party and stressed the importance of maintaining a level playing field for all political contenders.
These statements underscore ongoing tensions and concerns about the fairness of the electoral process in the politically sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.