E-Paper
EC justifies countermanding of Hazratbal assembly bypoll
In the face of criticism by Jammu and Kashmir’s opposition PDP, the Election Commission on Friday defended countermanding of the bye-election to Hazratbal assembly constituency saying the decision was “legally correct”.
In the face of criticism by Jammu and Kashmir’s opposition PDP, the Election Commission on Friday defended countermanding of the bye-election to Hazratbal assembly constituency saying the decision was “legally correct”.
“The decision to countermand the bye-election (of Hazratbal assembly constituency) was a legally correct one”, Election Commissioner M Y Qureshi told reporters.
He said EC has no powers to overrule the returning officer’s decision to accept nomination papers.
However, he said the returning officer who had wrongly accepted nomination papers of one particular candidate has been suspended.
The EC countermanded the bypoll due to “improper” acceptance of nomination papers of ruling National Conference candidate Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, brother of NC chief Farooq Abdullah, by the returning officer.
Asked about countermanding of the bypoll the ruling NC candidate, he said it was “not question of providing benefit to anybody. It is a legal matter and the best thing was to countermand the bye-poll”.
“After the countermanding of the bye-election, the poll process has to be started afresh”, Qureshi said.
On the other hand, Peoples Democratic Party alleged EC has failed to pursue a “proper course” of action on the issue of over acceptance of “improper” nomination of NC candidate for the bye-election to Hazratbal assembly segment.
