Bakshi Questions Legitimacy of Elections

Bakshi Questions Legitimacy of Elections
16:Jan. Kashmir Observer
Srinagar:Chairman of pro-freedom Islamic Students League (ISL), Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi on Thursday said that the recently held elections in the state were state managed and the voter percentage was manipulated to mislead the international community.
"75 percent of the population in the valley boycotted the polls and the records of the election commission and information department prove it.
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Bakshi Questions Legitimacy of Elections
16 Jan Kashmir Observer
Srinagar:Chairman of pro-freedom Islamic Students League (ISL), Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi on Thursday said that the recently held elections in the state were state managed and the voter percentage was manipulated to mislead the international community.
He urged the pro-freedom leaders not to get disheartened by the false propaganda over the poll percentage and carry out the freedom struggle to its logical end.
"Shortly after the mass uprising in the valley, announcement of polls in the state were made. The government of India with the support of its armed forces resorted to emergency curfew, detained pro-freedom leadership besides putting their 60 year experience to conduct the sham polls in the state," Bakshi said, while addressing a press conference at a local hotel here on Thursday afternoon.
"75 percent of the population in the valley boycotted the polls and the records of the election commission and information department prove it. But the Government of India tampered the voting figures across the state, to mislead the international community" he added
According to Bakshi the call for boycott by the pro-freedom leaders wasn't enough; it needed to be vigorously pursued at every level. However, he added that despite the tactics adopted by the Government of India, the people in valley overwhelmingly supported the boycott call and stayed away from the poll process.
ISL Chairman urged the pro-freedom leadership not to be disheartened by the 'fabricated poll figures' and said that the leaders should not fall in the trap laid by India and repeat the mistakes made by the former rulers of the state for their personal interests.
"Sheikh Abdullah made compromise on the freedom struggle and joined hands with India for the sake of power, for his personal interests. What did he achieve, apart from ruling the state for just 2 years," Bakshi said.
"I request the pro-freedom leaders not to commit the same mistake and take the ongoing freedom struggle to its logical conclusion. If they fail, we'll carry the movement," he added

http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=16_1_2009&ItemID=57&cat=21
Election no setback to separatists: ISL
GK NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar: The president of Islamic Students League, Shakeel Bakshi today said the separatist leadership hadn’t received any setback due to the recent assembly election and subsequent formation of the government.
Addressing a press conference here, he said, “The election didn’t have any relevance as it was conducted in the presence of lakhs of troops.” Bakshi claimed that 75 per cent of people boycotted the polls. “Only 25 per cent people cast their vote,” he said. Bakshi said the government used “cash for vote” policy. He said that it was shame for the government of India and state government that people have voted on the issues like roads, power and drinking water.
He said the separatist leadership has got more united after the election.
Without identifying any Hurriyat leader, he said that they should not feel panic and should plan a strategy to take the ongoing movement to its logical conclusion. Bakshi said that instead of encouraging people for ensuring the boycott, the leadership was issuing statements and were involved in activities which were disappointing the people.
Bakshi also termed the poll percentage shown by the Election Commission of India as ‘fake.’ “The percentage has been shown by the government and is not credible,” he added.