Srinagar, Omar Abdullah, the Vice President of the National Conference, has expressed strong criticism of the Indian government’s handling of democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir. He voiced his concerns in response to the Election Commission’s recent announcement regarding the finalization of Panchayat Electoral Rolls.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Abdullah was responding to the Election Commission’s statement that the final Panchayat Electoral Rolls for the region would be made public on February 26, 2024. He remarked on the irony of India being hailed as the “mother of democracy” while, in his view, democratic principles are being undermined in Jammu and Kashmir. “India is being called mother of democracy but it is unfortunate that the same is being murdered in J and K,” Abdullah said.

Abdullah criticized the delay in the electoral process, questioning why the government had not finalized all necessary formalities for the polls well in advance, at least five to six months earlier. He expressed concern over the postponement of the electoral processes and suggested that the authorities are now using this delay to justify further postponements.

This criticism from a prominent political figure in Jammu and Kashmir highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in the region concerning the implementation of democratic processes and governance.