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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it easier for Kashmiri migrants who moved from Kashmir to Jammu and Udhampur in the 1990s to vote in the upcoming 2024 general elections. Previously, these migrants, mainly from the Kashmiri Pandit community, had to go through a cumbersome process involving Form M to transfer their vote from Kashmir to a polling station in Jammu, Udhampur, or Delhi.

Easier paperwork for Kashmiri Migrants

Now, after a recent meeting chaired by the chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with other commissioners, the ECI has simplified the procedure. Form M will no longer be required for displaced persons from certain regions like Baramulla, Srinagar, and Anantnag-Rajouri. This decision came after the ECI received feedback about the difficulties faced by Kashmiri migrant groups in completing the Form M every election.

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The ECI also announced that self-attested certificates along with Form M will be accepted from migrants living outside Jammu and Udhampur. This eliminates the need for attestation by a gazetted officer, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for the voters.

Additionally, Jammu & Kashmir’s chief electoral officer supported a request by political parties to allow Kashmiri migrants to vote in person at transitory camps and via postal ballot. The ECI approved this measure, designating 22 special polling stations in Jammu and Udhampur for migrant voters.

Ensuring smooth voting

To prevent overlap between postal ballot voters and those voting in person, measures have been put in place. The electoral roll extracts for special polling stations will be derived from the basic electoral rolls of their respective assembly constituencies. Also, the Assistant Returning Officer Migrant Jammu will ensure that electors who opt for postal ballots are marked accordingly in the corresponding electoral roll extracts.

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Migrants outside Jammu and Udhampur can now self-attest Form M to vote at special polling stations. They can also choose to vote via postal ballot. The ECI website provides forms for both options, making it convenient for migrants to exercise their right to vote.

Overall, these changes aim to make the voting process smoother and more accessible for Kashmiri migrants, ensuring their active participation in the democratic process.