IIOJK HC directs authorities to ensure detained MLA Mehraj Malik can vote in Rajya Sabha polls
Srinagar: The High Court of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has directed the National Conference-led government to ensure that detained MLA Mehraj Malik is allowed to vote in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections for four seats in the territory.
The court’s directive came following an application filed by Malik, who sought permission to participate in the upcoming IIOJK Assembly session, scheduled to begin in Srinagar on October 23, and to cast his vote in the Rajya Sabha election set for the following day. Malik, a legislator, has been incarcerated in Kathua jail under the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) since September 8.
Malik’s legal counsels emphasized that the application be urgently considered. In response, Justice Rajesh Sekhri instructed the IIOJK government to ensure that Malik is granted the opportunity to vote in the Rajya Sabha election.
The defense team also informed the court that postal ballots had already been dispatched to Kathua jail for Malik’s use.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that IIOJK Legislative Assembly Secretary Manoj Pandit, who is serving as the returning officer for the Rajya Sabha polls, has sent three postal ballots to Kathua jail, in accordance with the law, to allow the detained legislator to participate in the election process.
For this election, two Rajya Sabha seats will be contested separately, while the other two will be grouped together under a common notification, allowing each legislator to cast three votes.
