DDC elections in J&K have proved a disaster on many accounts. The main issue is, if the 73rd & 74th amendments have been made applicable in respect of DDC elections in J&K? If any amendment in the Indian Constitution has provided reservation for women chairperson even if the majority party in the district has no women DDC member? What is the percentage of reservation for women in the district and under what law? Prof.Bhim Singh, Founder of J&K National Panthers Party was addressing a press conference in Press Club, Jammu today.
DDC elections in J&K proved disastrous. What needs to be done?
28-December-2020


It is a pity that the framers of the District Development chairman post for women reservation has not been adjusted on any principle of law or rules. It is just a draconian rule invented by the rule-makers in J&K under Union Territory. Surprisingly, in 20 districts there are seven reserved chairman posts, including one for ST category.

(ii). If the rules framed by the Union Territory can be justified by the administration in J&K. Is there any other Union Territory, which has such rules governing DDC polls in other Union Territories?

(iii). There are no rules to hold elections for DDC, the way it has been held in J&K in 8 phases. Shall any administrator in India justify the methodology adopted by the Union Govt in holding the DDC elections by fixing unknown reservation in the process including reservation for women belonging to ST & SC categories?

(iv). Holding DDC elections in 8 phases in 20 districts is not only unlawful but a direct violation of fundamental rights and principles of human rights and rule of law. J&K has 85 Assembly seats, but have got 280 DDC seats which is totally illegal, unconstitutional and in violation of the fundamental rights. Elections to the 85 seats are held in one day in one election. Here is a big fraud that elections in the same State, J&K, are held in 280 DDC constituencies. Why in 8 phases? Is it not for rigging the polls and helping the ruling party candidates? Is it not a violation of the election rules? Why DDC elections are not held in one day?

(v). Why poll was held from 7.00 a.m to 2.00 p.m in the freezing weather in Jammu as well as in Kashmir? Why the votes were not counted the same day immediately after the poll in the DDC elections?

This is not an election held under rules of Election Commission of India or according to the principles of natural justice so deserve to be quashed forthwith. In case this so-called DDC elections in J&K held in 8 phases is not quashed forthwith, the State Legal Aid Committee shall knock the doors of the Supreme Court of India for seeking dismissal of DDC elections with compensation to the political parties who contested the polls in Jammu & Kashmir.

Masood Andrabi & P.K Ganju (Vice-Presidents JKNPP), Sewa Singh Bali (General Secretary Panthers Trade Union), Surinder Wahi (Secretary), Ms. Anita Thakur (General Secretary) and Neeraj Gupta (General Secretary PTU) were also present in the press conference.