SRINAGAR: The State’s Election Office on Monday said that with the amendments in J&K Representation of People Act-1957 and J&K Conduct of Election Rules-1965, the names of Kashmiri Migrants continue to be enrolled in the Electoral Rolls of Assembly Constituencies of Kashmir Valley.
“As the Municipal Electoral Rolls are relatable to the Legislative Assembly Electoral Rolls, their names exist in the Electoral Rolls of the Municipal Bodies in the Kashmir Valley,” a spokesman of the Election Office said.
He said in order to provide Kashmiri Migrants facility to exercise their franchise in the Municipal Elections-2018, they have been notified as a class of persons who shall exercise their franchise through Postal Ballots. The Notification to this effect has been issued on 16h September, 2018. Consequent upon this Notification, a detailed “Scheme for Voting by Kashmiri Migrants by means of Postal Ballots in the Municipal Elections, 2018” stands Notified vide Order No: CEO/ME/2018/463 dated 17-09-2018, he said.
The spokesman said that the scheme makes available electoral rolls to the Kashmir Migrants at sixteen (16) places including six (6) transit camps in Kashmir so that they can file an application to opt for Voting by way of Postal ballot.
He said the Chief Electoral Officer has prescribed the last date for making such application as the last date for making nominations for a particular Municipal Body. All such applicants shall be issued Postal Ballots by the Returning Officers of their Municipal Bodies in Kashmir Valley. The Scheme also provides information about the process for recording the vote and return of the Postal Ballot.
While the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K has notified the Assistant Returning Officers (Migrants) for Jammu, Udhampur and Delhi, with the Assistant Returning Officer, (Migrants), Jammu as the Nodal point, the Relief Commissioner, Jammu has issued orders designating officers at various camps, who will facilitate the entire process, he said and added that the scheme alongwith various connected documents is available on the website of the CEO J&K with the link www.ceojk.nic.in.
Meanwhile, with the issuance of notification by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for the conduct of Municipal Elections 2018, the District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner), Srinagar has appointed 20 Returning Officers and 41 Assistant Returning Officers for the smooth conduct of Municipal elections in 74 Wards of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
Assistant Returning Officer (Hq) has been appointed who shall act as an ARO to all the ROs appointed. The arrangement has been done for the convenience of the candidates.
Also, the Election Cell has been established in the District Election Office, Srinagar which will monitor and manage all the stages of the election process and shall be a referral to the ROs/AROs & Presiding Officers and also will act as a Communication link between the office of CEO & DEO.
For effective monitoring & managing the Poll related material, EVMs, Ballot Papers, Postal Ballot, Polling Stations, MCC, Media, Law & order, Logistic plans, SVEEP, & other activities of the Election process. Nodal officers have been appointed for various activities related to the Smooth, Free & Fair conduct of Municipal Elections 2018.
