All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina Wednesday appreciated the participation of people belonging to Sikh community of Jammu and Kashmir for participating in elections for Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (GPC).The elections for GPC were held today after a gap of 13 years.Raina also thanked the state government for conducting the elections as desired by the Sikh community. He, however, said the government has not conceded to APSCC‘s demand of conducting delimitation of the GPC constituencies.“We have not only been demanding delimitation of constituencies of the GPCs of all the districts but also rationalization of voters list,” he said, adding, “These demands were not fulfilled.”
While questioning the role of government machinery, Raina 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 and take action against those officers who have not adhered to the decision of updating of voter list," he said.
The Sikh leader said that because of such lapses by government authorities, people belonging Rangreth 10 constituency protested and boycotted the elections. “The people also approached the court afgter thy found three voter lists were issued of the same date. Court stayed the election for the constituency and directed authorities for holding fresh elections for the same,” he said. Meanwhile, the Sikh leader congratulated all the members elected to the GPS.The APSCC said the delay of 13 years in holding these elections has created "indiscipline" in the affairs of the various Gurdwaras.