SRINAGAR The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik has said that people will once again show their complete rejection and disassociation from the repeated election dramas being enacted by the Government of India (GoI) this time in the name of Panchayat elections by observing a complete shutdown on November 17.
JRL in a statement issued here said that a complete protest shutdown will be observed across Kashmir on November 17 the day the Panchayat election drama commences.
The leaders asked the people to send the message to the rulers that they have nothing to do with a sham process being foisted on them to undermine Kashmirs disputed status and the need to resolve it.
People will observe complete protest strike in poll bound areas on the day elections are held there i.e. on November 20, 24, 27 and 29 and December 1, 4, 8 and 11.
Holding elections in Kashmir under the shadow of gun and by force is a meaningless exercise and nothing but another attempt to mislead people of India and the world, they said.
This exercise becomes all the more ridiculous as their own pro-Indian regional political parties decide to stay away from this farcical exercise, they added.
JRL said the recent massive rejection of ULB polls by more than 95% people of Kashmir has sent a crystal clear message to the Indian rulers of where the people of Kashmir stand and what they want but GoIs arrogance of military might and forcible control over J&K makes them blind to it and they continue to thrust this sham of so-called elections on people to further harass and torment them.
The leadership said that enacting election drama in presence of lakhs of forces can befool no one. The world community knows the reality of democracy in Kashmir, it said.
The people of Kashmir know well that any sort of participation in the polls held under the Indian constitution amounts to selling out on the tremendous sacrifices of thousands and thousands of people, especially our youth. So there is no question of any participation, the leaders said.
JRL said that peoples demand and slogan is only one No to all elections, only right to self determination.
Govt announces holiday in poll-bound areas
In connection with the Panchayat Elections-2018, beginning from 17 November, the Government has declared public holiday in the poll-bound areas.
Public holiday shall be observed within the limits of the respective CD-Blocks of concerned Districts on account of Panchayat Elections -2018, on the date of polls under the Negotiable Instrument Act-1881, said an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD).
It said the holiday on account of polls to the Panchayat Elections-2018, shall be observed only in the areas where the polling is to be held.
According to the order special casual leave shall be granted to the employees who have to go to other areas for exercising their right to franchise, for which they will demonstrate proof of voting on return.
CEO issues notification for final Phase
The Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Shaleen Kabra today issued the notification for conduct of the final phase of Panchayati Polls-2018 to elect Sarpanches and Panches.
The notification has been issued for Block Natnussa, Drugmulla and Magam in District Kupwara, Banakoot in District Bandipora, Tujjar Sharief, Hardaboora and Tangmarg in Baramulla District, Wakura in Ganderbal District, Chadoora and Pakherpora in Budgam District, Kakapora and Awantipora in Pulwama District, Zainpora in District Shopian, Kulgam in Kulgam District and Pahalgam in Anantnag District of Kashmir Division.
According to the notification, the last date for making nominations is November 22, 2018 (Thursday), the date for the scrutiny of nominations is November 24, 2018 (Saturday), the last date for withdrawal of candidature is November 26, 2018 (Monday), the date on which a poll, if necessary, shall be held on 11th December, 2018 (Tuesday) from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm, the date of counting is 11th December, 2018 (Tuesday) unless notified otherwise, and the date before which the election shall be completed on 17 December, 2018 (Monday).
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |