Alleged voting by Pakistani national: EC directs J&K Chief Electoral Officer to take action
Alleged Voting by Pakistani National Prompts EC Action in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar, April 30, 2025 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to take swift action after reports alleged that a Pakistani national voted in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
A local political group filed a complaint claiming that a woman—believed to be a Pakistani citizen on a long-term visa—was listed as a voter and cast her vote in Baramulla. The complaint raised serious concerns about how her name got included in the official voter list.
EC Orders Immediate Inquiry
Responding to the complaint, the Election Commission directed the J&K CEO to investigate the issue without delay. Officials must verify the woman’s identity and nationality. The EC also asked for a report on how her name appeared on the electoral rolls.
“The CEO must carry out a factual check, take action under relevant laws, and report back quickly,” said a senior EC official. The commission stressed the importance of preventing non-citizens from voting, especially in border-sensitive regions.
Opposition Slams Lapses in Voter Verification
Opposition leaders criticized the lapse and blamed the voter verification process. Omar Abdullah of the National Conference questioned how a foreign citizen could vote despite legal safeguards.
“This isn’t just a mistake. It shows a serious flaw in how voter lists are managed,” Abdullah wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He demanded accountability from election officials.
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti echoed the concerns. She warned that such incidents weaken public faith in elections. “We need a full investigation. People must trust the voting process, especially in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
BJP Seeks Facts Before Judgement
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for a fair probe and urged people not to jump to conclusions. Party spokesperson Altaf Thakur said legal action must follow if the allegations are true.
“The law is clear—only Indian citizens can vote. If rules were broken, action should follow. But let’s wait for the facts,” Thakur said.
Spotlight on Long-Term Visa Holders
This case has put long-term visa (LTV) holders under scrutiny. Many Pakistani women live in J&K after marrying Indian citizens. They hold LTVs and may apply for citizenship, but until then, they cannot vote.
Under Indian law, only citizens can vote. Foreign nationals, even those with LTVs or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, cannot be on the voter list. If one of them manages to register and vote, it becomes a serious legal violation.
Experts Urge Stronger Checks
Elections experts say the case reveals weaknesses in voter verification. Dr. Vivek Raina, a political analyst, said, “We aim to include all eligible voters, but this shows we also need strong checks.”
He suggested that the EC should review voter rolls in high-risk districts like those near the border. This would help prevent such issues in the future.
Faith in Elections at Stake
The 2024 general elections are underway across India. Incidents like this can harm public trust in democracy. In Jammu and Kashmir, trust is already fragile due to recent political changes, including the end of Article 370.
This case highlights the challenge of ensuring free and fair elections in sensitive regions. The EC’s quick response shows it takes the issue seriously. Now, it’s up to the CEO of Jammu and Kashmir to act and restore confidence in the system.
