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| APSCC expresses dismay over holding of GPC elections in January 2014 | | Castigates government officials for not updating electoral rolls | | Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Nov 4: Taking pot shots at the holding of Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (GPC) elections on January 15, 2014, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) said that timing of elections is inopportune and it may impact the overall voter turnout.
In a statement, APSCC chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina said that these apprehensions were raised during the meeting of various Sikh groups held here in connection with the holding of GPC elections. Raina said that elections should have been held earlier as committed by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah during a function some months back.
"Holding of elections on January 15, 2014 is not conducive since harsh winter conditions would be there in Kashmir valley. Despite the vagaries of weather people should still come out and cast their votes since the elections are being held after a long gap of 10 years instead of normal gap of five years," said Jagmohan.
Jagmohan said that elections should have been held in November or December as it would have led to better turnout during the elections. He said members of community should go for selection instead of elections. He added that candidates having religious background should be asked to be members of various GPCs.
"The voter list in the Kashmir valley is a big problem as these have not been updated. Some of the government officials are creating hurdles in the updating of electoral rolls. The community members should get themselves registered within one month. Repeated pleas with Government of India and state government about the revision of electoral rolls of Sikh community have fallen on deaf ears," said APSCC chairman.
Jagmohan alleged that Jammu & Kashmir office of Census department has also failed to update the population figures of Sikh community in the state. He asked the members of Sikh community not to listen to suggestions and views of outsiders while casting their votes during GPC elections.
Gurjeet Singh (Kingi), GPC president Budgam said that GPC elections are important since it gives a chance to the members of community to vote for people who could hold important positions in the GPCs. Master Hukumat Singh, Ex-ZEO asked the members of Sikh community to build a consensus so that suitable candidates are put up for elections of GPC.
Master Kuldeep Singh, ex-president, GPC Srinagar said people well versed with religious background should fight GPC elections. Prof Dileep Singh Deepak said that Gurdwara Act has been played with since the elections are being held after 10 years and not five years. Prithpal Singh (Dass) said senior citizens may not vote since the Kashmir valley would be engulfed by severe winter conditions at the time of elections.
Prominent Sikh leaders who were present during the meeting include Paramjeet Singh Bali (Kanwal Kashmiri), Balbir Singh, Manjeet Singh Sodhi, Surjeet Singh Badal, Gurdayal Singh and Didar Singh.
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