Srinagar, March 22: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Friday claimed that Election Commission of India (ECI) move to convert polling stations into cluster will decrease participation of people in upcoming LS polls in the state.
Addressing a press conference at party headquarters here, PDP Vice-President and former Minister, Abdul Rehman Veeri said the ECI decision to club 5-10 polling stations into single one will not only hamper the participation of people but also expose polling stations.
“We request ECI not to club the polling booths as the same will decrease peoples’ participation in election process,” said Veeri.
He said the ECI instead should establish additional polling stations in every area so that voters won’t face difficulties to use their franchise.
The former Minister said it would be difficult for the voters to travel four to five kilometers incase ECI implement its decision on ground.
“PDP being a responsible political party demands that the decision must be reviewed so as to conduct elections in free and fair manner,” added Veeri.
He also alleged that some government employees have been openly campaigning for some particular political parties without giving damn to rules and regulations.
He said despite frequent reminders, ECI is unmoved over the issue which clearly goes against the very ethics of the democratic process.
“On March 5, I shot a letter to Chief Election Commissioner to look into the issue; however our concerns expressed in this regard were overlooked,” he said.
