Sajad Lone warns of 1987 election mistakes being repeated
‘Says, Its shame to draw any kind of parallels to 1987, when democratic process was severely undermined’
Malik Zahoor
Srinagar, Sep 16 (KB): Sajad Lone, the chairman of Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (PC), has sounded an alarm over possible manipulations both in the central and at the state level elections, which draw a stark comparison with the much-debated 1987 elections.
“At a time when there is a growing need for important questions to be raised on the credibility of the electoral process in the region, Lone made the remarks, here in Srinagar while addressing press, as per the news agency—Kashmir Bulletin (KB).
He said that in itself, the elections of 1987, which are often remembered for allegations of widespread fraud and manipulation, is a moment of great historic significance for the country. And he cautioned that the low level of political culture seen today, in terms of interference and malpractice, could well repeat the errors of that moment: “It’s a shame to draw any kind of parallels to 1987, when the democratic process was severely undermined,” lone said.
He condemned the continued attempt at tampering and wholly neglecting and exploiting the election outcome to political rhetoric, stating that some factions were openly insulting the leaders of Kashmir and silencing the voice of the region. “We cannot forget the lessons of 1987. Our elections are sacrosanct, and any effort to manipulate them undermines our democracy,” Lone added.—(KB)