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Election Commission of India
Press Notes
Subject: Observers
for Elections in Jammu & Kashmir
Text
of statement made by the Chief Election Commissioner during his visit
to Jammu & Kashmir, June 16-18, 2002
Our law on elections, unlike
the election systems of some other countries, does not allow foreign
observers. On the other hand, it enjoins the Election Commission to
appoint its own observers who are senior civil servants. India has a
large pool of neutral civil servants.
As in elections in other
parts of the country, in the coming Jammu and Kashmir elections, the
Election Commission will rely on media reports including those in the
foreign media. So the media, including foreign media, will have easy
access to polling stations.
The Election Commission
shall not invite any group, body or organization to function as observers
for the J & K election. However, if any individual who is associated
with the conduct of elections in his country and that country has good
democratic credentials, then in his individual capacity, he can come
to see the election, subject, of course, to the person’s getting necessary
governmental clearance.
Source: Election Commission of India
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