Omar Abdullah urges Election Commission to brief parties on electoral roll revision to ensure transparency

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday urged the Election Commission to brief all political parties on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying such a step is essential to dispel persistent concerns and ensure complete transparency in the electoral process.

He stressed that elections must be fair, transparent and free from any doubt or complaint, a responsibility that rests squarely with the Election Commission.

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“If there are apprehensions regarding the SIR, the EC should call all political parties, brief them about the exercise, and address all concerns,” Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

His remarks come in the backdrop of objections raised by several non-NDA parties over the SIR exercise.

The Chief Minister said he had never cast doubt on electronic voting machines because “I do not believe that these machines can be manipulated.” Referring to the delimitation of Assembly seats after the abolition of J&K’s special status, he added, “You increased six seats in Jammu to benefit one party. It would be better if the EC calls all of us and explains what SIR is.”

Asked about a BJP delegation from J&K meeting Union Health Minister JP Nadda over the controversy related to MBBS admissions in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra and demanding that all seats be reserved for Hindu students, the Chief Minister said, “If you want to distribute seats on the basis of religion, then reserve the institute for minorities. The grant-in-aid given by the government can be used elsewhere; we have no issue with that. Find out the value of the land allotted to you, stop accepting the grant-in-aid, change your status and become a minority institution,” he said.

“But until now, you have been accepting admissions through the NEET exam and in NEET, selection is based solely on merit. If any student fails to secure a place in the merit list, how can you blame someone else for that,” Omar added.