Jamaat stayed away from polls since 1987 to protest rigging: JeI backed candidate

Bandipora, Oct 1: Terming participation in elections as a “much-needed process”, Hafiz Mohammad Sikander, a Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) backed candidate, on Tuesday expressed his desire to serve people “democratically”. He said the JeI had refrained from electoral participation since 1987 to protest election rigging in Jammu & Kashmir.
After casting his vote at the Gundpora polling station, Sikander said, “JeI stayed away from polls since 1987 to protest the rigging of elections by certain parties. Now, we view participation in elections as a necessary process, as we want to serve the people democratically and address their voices and issues that have been ignored.”
The 32-year-old candidate said that JeI aims to fight for justice and highlight the concerns of the community on a larger scale.
Sikander, who campaigned with a GPS tracker attached to his ankle, said he faced many challenges due to doubts about the device. “Some people were hesitant to engage with me, fearing it might record our conversations,” he said.
Regarding the current situation in Jammu & Kashmir, Hafiz said conditions have improved, but the lack of elected representatives has been felt for over a decade. “With elections taking place in J&K, we hope that elected representatives will address the common issues faced by the region,” he added.
The polling for the third and final phase of the J&K assembly elections is underway. (KNO)