Alleged complaint filed against BJP candidate’s poll affidavit ‘mismatch’

CEO J&K forwards representation to ECI

Jammu: A complaint of alleged ‘mismatch’ in election affidavit of BJP candidate from Jammu Lok Sabha seat has been forwarded to Election Commission of India (ECI).
As per reports, the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, P K Pole (IAS) has referred the Complaint/Representation of Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed to the Secretary, Election Commission of India, New Delhi for appropriate action in the matter by the Commission.
The said representation has highlighted the mismatch/discrepancy/Non-Disclosure in the Election Affidavit of Jugal Kishore, BJP Candidate for Jammu-Reasi Parliamentary Constituency.
According to the complainant there was mismatch/variation in the affidavits dated 23-03-2019 and 30-03-2024, as the Former Member Parliament had indicated his liability towards the Banks/Financial Institutions to the tune of Rs.34,53,14,232/- (Rupees Thirty Four Crores Fifty Three Lakh Fourteen Thousand Two Hundred and Thirty Two only) in his previous affidavit dated 23-03-2019, however, in the latest affidavit, the Former Member Parliament mentioned his current liability to the tune of Rs.20,42,956.81 (Rupees Twenty Lakh Forty Two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Six and Paise Eighty One only).
According to Advocate S.S. Ahmed, the Returning Officer at the time of scrutiny in terms of Section 36 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 was under an obligation to consider and decide the objections raised by directing the candidate concerned to clarify the mismatch/variation as projected by the objector. However, the Returning Officer mechanically informed Advocate Ahmed on April 7th, 2024 to approach the Court of Law in the matter thereby not considering the objections raised by him which simply means that he failed to perform his duties entrusted to him being a Returning Officer as per the Representation of People Act, 1951 and the conduct of the Returning Officer by shunning his responsibility also amounts to dereliction of duties in view of the mandatory requirements of Section 36 of Representation of People Act,1951.