By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,
Srinagar: The Gujjars and Bakerwal tribe have appealed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to hold J&K Assembly polls after October 2008 as lakhs of Nomads are under seasonal migration to upper reaches of Himalaya.
In a six point memorandum sent to Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation has urged the ECI to come up with “Mobile Voting System” for nomads of the state to cast their vote during the coming election or hold the elections after October when tribals will be in the plains.
In case the assembly elections are held before October, the ECI should devise a mechanism to ensure maximum participation of nomadic Gujjars in the election process, the Foundation demanded.
The Foundation has also requested ECI to conduct a fresh survey before the election to know the movement of nomads in Himalayan region of J&K and provide fresh registration by introducing “Shelter-less Nomadic Voter Category,” a statement released by the Foundation said.
A good chunk of semi-Nomad tribals in the state are residing in or around hilly forest areas. At the time of polling they have to walk miles down to cast their votes. In view of the fact, arrangements should be made in shape of “Temporary Sub Polling booths” in such areas in abundance so that they can cast their vote conveniently, said the memorandum which also demanded introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with instructions in tribal languages including Gojri. Several tribes including Gujjars, Bakerwal, Gaddi, Sippi, Borkpa and Changpa are presently scattered in vast mountainous range of Himalaya from Pir Panjal to Shivalik.