Jammu, Oct 13: The District Election Officer Jammu has withdrawn its earlier order that authorised the Tehsildars to issue certificate of residence to those non-J&K residents who have been settled in Jammu for the past more than one year to help them register as a voter in the winter capital.
Quoting Election Commission of India guidelines, the DC Jammu, AvnyLavasa, who also happens to be the DEO Jammu, had mentioned in her October 12 order that gas connection/water connection for one year, Aadhar card, current passbook or nationalised/scheduled bank/post office, Indian passport, revenue department’s land owning record including KissanBahi, registered rent/lease deed (in case of tenant), registered sale deed in case of own house, shall be considered to accept an outsider as resident of Jammu to enable him register as a voter in the winter capital.
“Whereas, these guidelines further provide that any other proof of residence can also be accepted for registration of new voters,” the order further read.
The order also read: “whereas, these guidelines further provide that in case none of the mentioned documents is available, field verification is must. For example, categories like homeless Indian citizens who are otherwise eligible to become electors but don’t possess any documentary proof of ordinary residence, the Electoral Registration Officer shall designate an officer for field verification”.
It further read, “whereas during review meetings taken with the field functionaries viz. Electoral Registration Officers/Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, etc. it has been noticed that some eligible voters are facing hardships in registration as voters for non-availability of documents mentioned hereinabove”.
“Now, therefore keeping in view the urgency involved in the matter and to ensure that no eligible voter is left for registration during the special summary revision, 2022 in District Jammu, all Tehsildars are authorised to issue certificate of residence after conducting necessary field verifications, to the person(s) residing in District Jammu for more than one year, for the purpose,” the order read.
Soon after the order went viral on social media, all the major opposition parties made a hue and cry claiming outsiders cannot be considered as voters in Jammu and Kashmir. Thereafter, the order was withdrawn by the DEO Jammu.
Neither Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar nor DC Jammu, AvnyLavasa, was available for comments to clarify why the order was withdrawn.
Pertinently, the special summary revision of electoral rolls has been started in Jammu and Kashmir since September 15 for registration of new voters, deletion, correction, transposition of voters who have migrated or died since the last summary revision.
