HAVE FAITH ON ECI
Some political parties are setting a wrong precedent by questioning the credibility of the constitutional body viz Election Commission of India (ECI) on the pretext of giving voting rights to people hailing from outside Jammu and Kashmir but living in the Union Territory. It can be well understood that by raising unnecessary controversy some parties want to take political mileage which is not good as the conflict so caused is maligning the image of the ECI, which ultimately will prove detrimental to the interest of the country as constitutional bodies work on rules and norms and under no circumstances these can break the same to benefit one entity or the other. Raising such unfounded issues against the working of ECI is not good at all and the political parties should restrain from doing so. At no point of time the ECI has done anything against the law and thinking that the constitutional body will do something fishy is not at all advisable. In this context, the ECI in an effort to put at rest the controversy raised by some political parties on account of non-locals going for dual voter registration in J&K has come up with clarifications that no voter can be registered at two places and that those indulging in such acts are liable for punishment under the Representation of People’s Act.
It is pertinent to mention that the Election Commission has released series of clarifications in a letter addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir. The same have reportedly been forwarded to all 20 Deputy Commissioners of the Union Territory to clear the doubts and apprehensions.
It is pertinent to mention that as per provisions of Section 31 of Representation of People’s Act 1950, if any person makes representation in connection with preparation, revision or correction of an electoral roll or inclusion or exclusion of any entry, a statement of declaration in writing which is false and which he knows or believes to be false, he shall be punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1950. The clarifications which also address many more issues are more than enough to satisfy those who are raising the question mark against the ECI.