A lot has changed in Jammu and Kashmir in the last couple of years, and among the positive changes seen in this assembly poll is the attempt of the separatist leaders to become a part of the democratic process. The nominations of a number of these separatist leaders have been accepted while at least 35 papers were rejected by the Election Commission of India on Wednesday.
Among those rejected, six were facing criminal charges ranging from riots and sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The list included rejection of papers of jailed cleric Sarjan Ahmad Wagay who filed his nomination from Zainpora Assembly constituency in the Shopian district. His papers were rejected as his documents were incomplete, News18 has learnt.
The returning officer has the power to cancel the candidature of a leader if they found any issue during the scrutiny – done on Wednesday for the first phase of polling for Jammu and Kashmir on September 18.
Out of the 35 nominations that were rejected on Wednesday, at least six candidates, all Independent, have criminal cases, including Abdul Bari Naik who filed the papers from Devsar. He is facing charges of riots. As per ECI sources, his nominations were rejected as his documents were incomplete.
During the scrutiny of the nomination papers filed by 279 candidates, candidature of 244 candidates was found valid as per the ECI guidelines. It is also important to note that out of 244 candidates with valid candidature, close to 35 have criminal antecedents, News18 has learnt.
Independent candidate Bilal Ahmad Nanda, who filed his nomination papers for Anantnag West, is also facing charges under several sections of the IPC sections and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Two more rejected candidates Javaid Ahmad Bhat (Zainapora) and Manzoor Ahmad Kanth (Shopian) are also facing charges of rioting among others.
Imran Sheikh, who filed papers from Anantnag West, was a failed 2024 Lok Sabha candidate from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. The independent candidate has about 20 cases, including one under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and charges of crime against women.
Separatists in Fray
The victory of Sheikh Abdul Rashid, a separatist voice, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has helped in shaping a different vision for these leaders, who otherwise have advocated for boycotting the polls for several decades.
Famous as Engineer Rashid, the independent candidate who contested and won from Baramulla, defeated tall leaders like Omar Abdullah and Sajad Gani Lone. He is currently in jail.
The Central Government had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami outfit on February 28, 2019, for five years, and extended the ban on February 28, 2024. Last week, the UAPA Tribunal upheld the extension of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami.
Since the outfit is banned, its former leaders and supporters are fighting as independent candidates.
The candidature of Talat Majid Alie, contesting from Pulwama, has been accepted. He does not have a criminal antecedent as per his affidavit submitted to the ECI. He was a member of the Jamat.
Another former Jamat leader whose candidature was accepted is Sayar Ahmad Reshi, contesting from Kulgam. The former Jamat leader also claimed there are no criminal cases pending before him.
In Devsar, Nazir Ahmad Bhat, a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami, will fight the polls after his candidature was accepted. In his paper, he claimed he does not have a criminal antecedent.
The candidature of Umar Hamid Malla from Zanipora has been accepted. He was not a member but the Jamat has extended support to his candidature. He also does not have a criminal antecedent.
It is also important to note that while the candidature of these 244 candidates have been accepted, they can withdraw their nominations before August 30, Friday, by 3 pm at the office of the respective Returning Officers.
The final list of the contesting candidates will be issued after that. The voting for the first phase will be done on September 18.
Meanwhile, the poll body on Thursday issued notification for the second phase of polling. The last date for nomination will be September 5 and scrutiny will be done the next day. The polling for the second phase will be held on September 25.
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