People residing in Jammu for over 1 year can register as voters, official order released

Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir), October 12: The Jammu administration issued an order on Tuesday authorizing all tehsildars (revenue officers) to give a certificate of residence to those who have lived in the district for more than a year. The certificate of residence's purpose is to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls. "Whereas, Special Summary Revision, 2022 has been started in Union territory of the Jammu and Kashmir with effect from September 15,2022, for registration of new voters, deletion, correction, transposition of voters who have migrated, died since last Summary Revision," the order of the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu stated. The order stated that any of the following documents can be accepted as proof of residence: water/electricity/gas connection for one year; Aadhar card, current passbook of nationalized/scheduled bank/post Office; Indian Passport; Revenue Department's land-owning record including Kisan Bahi; registered rent/lease deed (in case of Tenant); registered sale deed (in case of own house). According to the order, if none of the aforementioned documents is available, field verification is needed. For example, if a homeless Indian citizen is otherwise eligible to vote but lacks documentary proof of ordinary residence, the Electoral Registration Officer shall select an officer for field verification. "It has been noticed that some eligible voters are facing hardships in registration as Voters for non-availability of documents mentioned hereinabove; Now, therefore, keeping In view the urgency involved in the matter and to ensure that no eligible voter is left for registration during the Special Summary Revision, 2022. In District Jammu, all Tehslldars are authorized to issue certificates of residence after conducting necessary field verifications, to the person(s) residing In District Jammu for more than one year, for the purpose," the order further read. However, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti slammed the move. Also Read | Punjab Govt allows 2-hour window for bursting green crackers on Diwali, Gurpurab Mufti took to Twitter and stated, "ECI's latest order for registration of new voters makes it clear that GOIs colonial settler project has been initiated in Jammu. They will bear the first blow to Dogra culture, identity, employment and business." "BJP's attempts to create religious and regional divisions between Jammu and Kashmir must be thwarted because whether it's a Kashmiri or a Dogra, safeguarding our identity and rights will be possible only if we put up a collective fight," the former chief minister continued. Notably, the Election Commission released the schedule of the Special Summary Revision in Jammu and Kashmir in August and announced that those who were not voters in the Assembly following the abrogation of Article 370 from the region can now be named on the voter's list. According to an official, the individual does not have to be a "permanent resident" of the Union Territory. On November 25, 2022, the final electoral roll would be published following the disposal of all claims and objections made within the time frame. Also Read | Will have meeting with Haryana CM, other officials over SYL issue: Bhagwant Mann -PTC News