Polling Deferment in Islamabad-Rajouri Seen as Move to Disenfranchise Gujjar-Bakerwal Community

Srinagar, Major political factions in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have criticized the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) recent decision to postpone the polling in the Islamabad-Rajouri constituency, interpreting it as a targeted attempt to disenfranchise the nomadic Gujjar-Bakerwal population.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the ECI issued a gazette notification unexpectedly shifting the election date from May 7 to May 25, following requests from the BJP and its allies. This rescheduling coincides with the seasonal migration of the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities to the Pir Panjal mountain ranges, a traditional practice that involves relocating their livestock to higher pastures for the summer.

The timing of the ECI’s decision has raised concerns among local leaders about the accessibility of voting for these tribal groups, who comprise a substantial portion of the electorate in the region. Omar Abdullah, vice-president of the National Conference, expressed dismay over the move, suggesting that it was deliberately timed to reduce voter turnout among communities that traditionally do not support the BJP. “The BJP is well aware that these tribal people are in the higher pastures along with their livestock by May 25. They also know who these tribal people vote for. The Election Commission should not have allowed this to happen,” Abdullah stated during a media interview.

PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan also voiced his concerns, labeling the delay as indicative of the central government’s anxiety over the political climate in Kashmir. On social media, Bhan criticized the alteration of the electoral boundaries and the postponement of the polls as evidence of the central government’s manipulation of the electoral process to favor a particular narrative.

Previously, Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, had warned that changing the polling date could undermine the credibility of the elections, drawing parallels with the controversial 1987 elections, which were widely alleged to have been rigged.

This controversy underscores ongoing tensions and challenges in maintaining electoral integrity in regions with significant political and demographic complexities.