Alleged conspiracy in vote counting: PAGD DDC members protest in Budgam, demand re-election for Chairman’s post

Budgam, Feb 12: The elected District Development Council (DDC) members from People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) Friday staged a protest at Humhama Budgam against what they termed as alleged conspiracy in vote counting in Chairperson’s post and demanded re-election for the post.

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer, the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the DDC Budgam were elected on Monday in a meeting of the elected DDC members which was held under the chairmanship of the District Election Officer Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza (KAS), Deputy Commissioner District Budgam.

Nazir Ahmad Khan Independent DDC member was elected as the chairperson, while Nazir Jahra of NC was elected as the vice chairperson of the DDC Budgam after he bagged nine votes.

While taking to KNO, Nazir Jahra Vice Chairperson of DDC Budgam said that for the post of Chairperson, NC’s Abdul Ahad Dar and independent candidate, Nazir Ahmad Khan bagged seven votes each but the decision of Chairperson was later taken after a draw of lots in which an independent candidate, Nazir Ahmad Khan emerged victorious.

“Draw of lots was carried out in an unfair manner. The DC asked the clerk sitting next to him to choose between the two slips, which he himself made in front of that clerk, so that is a direct injustice to us,” he said.

NC’s DDC member Insha Showkat said that they want a clear re-election and have no other demands. “It’s not just our vote; it’s the vote of the thousands of people who voted for us,” she said.(KNO)