SRINAGAR: With Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (GPC) elections slated for July 8, a Sikh organisation today asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to declare a holiday on the polling day to ensure large participation of the community members in the delayed polls.
"The government should declare holiday or restricted holiday on July 8 under the Negotiable Instruments Act so that all eligible Sikh voters can cast their vote for the GPC elections in the state," All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said. Since July 8 is a working day it would not be possible for all the eligible voters to cast their votes as many of them are employees in different departments both in the state as well as central sectors, he said.
"As such the government should announce a holiday on that date so that there is an overwhelming participation in the elections which are taking place after a gap of 11 years," Raina said. Questioning the role of government machinery, the Sikh leader said printed voter list of Sikhs for election is not as per the last Assembly election and the voter list does not contain photographs and EPIC card details.
"Under the fresh guidelines of Election Commission of India these are statutory requirements and need to be updated from time to time. The state government should intervene in this matter and ensure that proper voter list is put in place within a week or so," he said.
Meanwhile, the APSCC appealed the members of the community to maintain cordial relations with each other during the GPC elections. It appealed to the people to elect only those persons who are able to conduct their obligations in a sincere and fair
manner without any prejudice whatsoever.
The APSCC said the delay of 11 years in holding these elections has created "indiscipline" in the affairs of the various Gurdwaras.