SRINAGAR: The Office of the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar has directed the Election Commission of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to rectify the electoral roll and membership list before conducting elections to its Executive Committee.
The order, issued on September 30 by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, comes after a three-member enquiry committee submitted its findings on the validity of the current voter list. The committee had been established to examine multiple representations regarding alleged irregularities in light of the KCCI’s Articles of Association.
In its report, the panel confirmed that the electoral roll required “further purification” and recommended immediate corrective steps. It asked the Election Commission of KCCI to delete the names of deceased members, rectify errors, and ensure the list accurately reflected the eligible membership.
The committee also suggested that invalid entries, including those of deceased voters, be clearly marked on the rolls to be used at the polling stations on election day. At the same time, it emphasised that no eligible member should be deprived of voting rights, while no ineligible member should be allowed to cast a ballot.
The Deputy Commissioner’s office, while forwarding the recommendations, emphasised that rectifying the voter list was essential to preserve the democratic character of the exercise. It said elections must be held in a free, fair, and transparent manner, strictly in accordance with KCCI’s Articles of Association.
The Election Commission of KCCI has now been advised to carry out the corrections without delay and announce a fresh schedule for polling at the earliest possible date.
