The Hindu : 'Foreigners free to observe J&K poll'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 18, 2002

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'Foreigners free to observe J&K poll'

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR JUNE 17. The Chief Election Commissioner, J.M. Lyngdoh, today said foreign observers were free to visit Jammu and Kashmir and monitor the polls on their own, but they would not be officially invited.

Talking to presspersons after his three-day visit to the State, he said the Commission would, however, choose "hand-picked people, who are not afraid of any government, as observers to monitor the entire poll process". The observers would be officers from the civil services because it was mandatory as per law. "They (the observers) will be our eyes and ears. They will also monitor the conditions for proper elections on the ground."

Regarding apprehensions of Opposition parties on security, Mr. Lyngdoh said directions had been issued to the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the security of political workers and candidates and that arrangements would be made within a few days. "We were told (by the delegations of political parties) that the Government was planning to use the Special Task Force and the National Defence Force, who are backed by renegades. This is their fear."

The delegations had alleged that the Government was using the STF and the NDF to harass them and disrupt their political activity. "This is a matter to be examined," Mr. Lyngdoh said.

No person should be compelled to vote, as it amounted to an electoral offence. "The uniformed forces will only be expected to re-assure voters and create conducive conditions." They would not be allowed to coerce the people to vote in an attempt to increase the voter turnout.

The CEC said that 8,000 electronic voting machines would be introduced as a deterrent to booth capturing and rigging. "We are also taking measures to ensure that proper training is imparted to the people in the use of the machines."

Photo identity cards would also be issued. "These cards will be printed on paper used for currency notes. People who wish to apply for the cards need to provide us with two pictures. The cards will be issued after proper inquiry by the concerned Tehsildar."

Mr. Lyngdoh said the Election Commission also planned to review the voter lists as they were "unsatisfactory and carried even the names of deceased people''. He also referred to the demand of political parties to stall any wholesale transfer of officials before the poll process.

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