MHA blames EC for not heeding to advice

The “miserably low turnout” in Srinagar bypolls has prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to shift the blame on the Election Commission (EC), claiming it had advised the EC against going ahead with the exercise.

Sources said the MHA had advised the EC against holding the bypolls in Srinagar, warning that the situation was not conducive. The ministry claimed it had conveyed to the EC that fear was pervasive and it could impact the turnout.  The EC’s spokesperson was not available for comment.

The voting for Srinagar seat, which took place on Sunday, witnessed unprecedented violence in which at least eight people were killed. Only 7.14% of the 12.61 lakh electorate ventured out to vote while the constituency had recorded 26% polling in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

The previous record for the low turnout was in 1999 when 11.93% voted. In that election, Omar Abdullah had defeated Mehbooba Mufti, who is now chief minister, in a straight contest. The security establishment was of the view that people may not dare to come out and vote.

‘Total farce’

In a statement, the CPM also said the "miserably low turnout" had reduced the electoral process to a "total farce" and it displayed the "deep degree of alienation" of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.

Acknowledging that the country's internal security and sovereignty were non-negotiable, the CPM Politburo said this could be strengthened only by the involvement of the people.

"This in turn can only happen through a political process, which was agreed to by this BJP government and announced by the home minister after an all-party parliamentary delegation visited the state. This process was to be through both confidence building measures and initiatives for a comprehensive political dialogue with all stakeholders. Though promised, this was never followed up till date by the central government," it said.